Hydroponic growing system

ABSTRACT

The hydroponic growing system may include a gutter assembly configured to manage flow of a liquid solution to one or more components of the hydroponic growing system. Further, the hydroponic growing system may include at least one growing trough movably engaged to the gutter assembly and configured to hold one or more plants. Moreover, the hydroponic growing system may include an automation assembly movably engaged with the at least one growing trough and configured to move the at least one trough from a first position on the gutter assembly to a second position on the gutter assembly via one or more engagement devices.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a hydroponic growing system,and more particularly, to automating growing of plants in a hydroponicgrowing system.

As the Earth's climate continues to change, traditional farming may beat risk from uncertain weather patterns that may result in unpredictablecrop yields. However, plants may be grown indoors when outdoorenvironments do not allow for, or are non-ideal for plant growth. Forexample, outdoor conditions such as below-freezing temperatures and/ordrought may not allow for adequate plant growth. Specifically, plantgrowth may be facilitated by providing nutrients, water, and light toplants. Nonetheless, the ideal growing conditions for plants may varyfrom species to species. Also, some plants may be temperamental and mayhave different growing constraints at different times depending onvarious environmental factors. For instance, some plants may be damagedby inadequate amounts of nutrients, moisture, and/or light.

Further, growing space may be limited for plants grown indoors. As such,providing similar yields for such plants as compared to plants grownoutdoors may prove difficult. Further, it may often be difficult toprovide appropriate amounts of nutrients, moisture, and light whenplants are removed from their natural environments and grown indoors.Additionally, many indoor plants may not be left unattended for longperiods of time without causing significant damage to the plant.

As demand for plants and/or plant products continues to increase,however, further improvements in hydroponic growing systems may bedesired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or moreimplementations in order to provide a basic understanding of suchimplementations. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated implementations, and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all implementations nor delineate the scope of anyor all implementations. The purpose is to present some concepts of oneor more implementations in a simplified form as a prelude to the moredetailed description that is presented later.

In one example, a hydroponic growing system is described. The hydroponicgrowing system may include a base configured to support one or morecomponents. The hydroponic growing system may further include a gutterassembly removably attached the base, the gutter assembly configured tomanage flow of a liquid solution to the one or more components of thehydroponic growing system. The hydroponic growing system may include atleast one growing trough movably engaged to the gutter assembly andconfigured to hold one or more plants, the at least one growing troughmovable along a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of theliquid solution in the at least one growing trough. Moreover, thehydroponic growing system may include an automation assembly movablyengaged with the at least one growing trough, the automation assemblyconfigured to move the at least one trough from a first position on thegutter assembly to a second position on the gutter assembly.

In another example, an automation assembly may include an actuatorcomponent configured to move at least one elongated member supportingone or more engagement devices between a first member position and asecond member position. The automation assembly may further include anautomation component removably attached to the actuator component, theautomation component configured to trigger the actuator component tomove the at least one elongated member between the first member positionand the second member position.

In a further example, an automation assembly for facilitating movementof at least one growing trough within a hydroponic growing system isdescribed. The automation assembly may include at least one sensingcomponent configured to detect a removal of at least one growing troughfrom a support portion of a gutter of the hydroponic growing system. Theautomation assembly may further include an actuator component configuredto move at least one elongated member supporting one or more engagementdevices between a first member position and a second member position.Additionally, the automation assembly may further include an automationcomponent removably attached to the actuator component, the automationcomponent configured to cause the actuator component to move the atleast elongated member between the first member position and the secondmember position in response to detecting the removal of the at least onegrowing trough from the support portion of the gutter.

In another example, a method of moving at least one trough in ahydroponic growing system may include triggering, by an automationcomponent, an actuator component to move at least one elongated memberof the hydroponic growing system between a first member position and asecond member position, the at least one elongated member supporting oneor more engagement devices configured to engage with the at least onegrowing trough. The method may further include moving, by an actuatorcomponent, the at least one elongated member between the first memberposition and the second member position.

In yet another example, a gutter may include a base including aninterior portion configured to retain a liquid solution. The gutter mayfurther include a support portion attached to the base and configured toprovide support for at least one growing trough. Moreover, the guttermay include a cover attached to the base and configured to minimizelight exposure into the interior portion and at an end portion of the atleast one growing trough.

In another example, a gutter assembly may include a first gutter and asecond gutter. The first gutter may be disposed at a first end of agrowing system and includes a first base including an interior portionand configured to retain a liquid solution, a first support portionattached to the base and configured to provide support for a first endof at least one growing trough, and a first cover attached to the baseand configured to minimize light exposure into the interior portion andat the first end portion of the at least one growing trough. The secondgutter may be disposed at a second end opposite the first end of thegrowing system and includes a second base including an interior portionand configured to retain a liquid solution, a second support portionattached to the base and configured to provide support for a second endof at least one growing trough, and a second cover attached to the baseand configured to minimize light exposure into the interior portion andat the second end portion of the at least one growing trough.

In a further example, a method of managing flow of a liquid solution ina growing system may include injecting the liquid solution into a firstend of at least one trough supported by a first support portion attachedto a base of a first gutter, the liquid solution injected by at leastone tubing member removably attached to a cover of the first gutter. Themethod may further includes receiving the liquid solution at a base of asecond gutter from a second end of the at least one trough supported bya second support portion attached to the base of the second gutter.

In yet another example, an engagement device is described. Theengagement device may include a base configured to rotate about an axis.The engagement device may include a first portion of the base includinga pivot member configured to engage with a securing component to rotatethe base about the axis. The engagement device may further include asecond portion of the base weighted greater than the first portion ofthe base. Moreover, the engagement device may include a capture memberextending from the base, the capture member configured to engage with atleast one trough during at least one of two movement events.

In another example, an apparatus may include an elongated member and atleast one engagement device moveably attached to the elongated member.Each engagement device may include a base configured to rotate about anaxis; a first portion of the base including a pivot member configured toengage with a securing component to rotate the based about the axis, asecond portion of the base weighted greater than the first portion ofthe base, and a capture member extending from the base, the capturemember configured to engage with at least one trough during at least oneof two movement events.

In an additional example, an engagement device may include a baseconfigured to rotate about an axis. The engagement device may include apivot member configured to engage with a securing component to rotatethe base about the axis. The engagement device may further include afirst portion of the base having a mass greater than a second portiondistinct from the first portion. Additionally, the engagement device mayinclude a capture member extending from the base, the capture memberconfigured to engage with at least one trough during at least one of twomovement events.

In another example, a growing trough is described. The growing troughmay include a base configured to provide support. The growing trough mayfurther include a cover portion connected to the base and including oneor more openings configured to hold at least a plant, the cover portionand the base forming an interior portion configured to support a flow ofliquid solution. The growing trough may include a first end portion ofthe base providing access to the interior portion. Moreover, the growingtrough may include a second end portion of the base opposite the firstend portion and providing access to the interior portion.

In a further example, a growing trough may include a base configured toprovide support, and a top portion connected to the base and includingone or more openings each configured to receive at least one soil pod,the top portion and the base forming a hollow interior portionsupporting a flow of water solution and including at least a portion ofthe at least one soil pod. The growing trough may further include afirst end portion of the base providing access to the hollow interiorportion, and a second end portion of the base opposite the first endportion and providing access to the hollow interior portion.

In another example, a growing trough may include a base configured toprovide support, and a cover portion connected to the base and includingat least one opening configured to receive and hold at least one plant,the cover portion and the base forming an interior portion permittingflow of a liquid solution and including at least a portion of the atleast one plant within the interior portion. The growing trough mayfurther include a first end portion of the base providing access to theinterior portion, and a second end portion of the base opposite thefirst end portion and providing access to the interior portion.

Additional advantages and novel features relating to implementations ofthe present disclosure will be set forth in part in the description thatfollows, and in part will become more apparent to those skilled in theart upon examination of the following or upon learning by practicethereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The specific features, implementations, and advantages of the disclosurewill become better understood with regard to the following description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a hydroponic growing system includingone or more components configured to enable plant growth, for example,by employing the techniques described herein;

FIG. 1-2 is an enlarged perspective view of one or more growing troughsat a backend of the hydroponic growing system in an initial position;

FIG. 1-3 is an enlarged perspective view of the one or more growingtroughs at a frontend of the hydronic growing system in a harvestposition;

FIG. 2-1 is a perspective view of a hydronic growing system employing atleast two growing lines, where each growing line may include one or morecomponents configured to enable plant growth, for example, by employingthe techniques described herein;

FIG. 2-2 is an enlarged perspective view of an adjoining front area ofthe hydroponic growing system including one or more growing troughs;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a frontend of the hydroponic growing systemillustrating the one or more growing troughs engaging with one or moreengagement devices;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an actuator assembly of the hydroponicgrowing system configured to move at least one elongated membersupporting the one or more growing troughs;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the actuator assembly attached to andin communication with one or more components of the hydroponic growingsystem;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first state of the actuatorassembly of the hydroponic growing system prior to a triggering of anactuator component;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second state of theactuator assembly of the hydroponic growing system following triggeringof the actuator component;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third state of the actuatorassembly of the hydroponic growing system following triggering of theactuator component;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a return to the first stateof the actuator assembly of the hydroponic growing system followingtriggering of the actuator component;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the hydroponic growing system including oneor more troughs arranged at varying angles with respect to an axis;

FIG. 11-1 is a perspective view of a portion of the gutter assemblyincluding at least a cover;

FIG. 11-2 is a front or back side view of a portion of the gutterassembly for use within the hydroponic growing system;

FIG. 12 is side view of the portion of the gutter assembly removablyattached and supporting at least one growing trough;

FIG. 13-1 is a schematic diagram of a gutter assembly including a firstgutter and at least one growing trough within a hydroponic growingsystem;

FIG. 13-2 is a schematic diagram of the gutter assembly including asecond gutter and at least one growing trough within the hydroponicgrowing system;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the hydroponic growing systemshowing some of one or more tubing members of the gutter assemblyaligned with a corresponding one of the one or more growing troughs;

FIG. 15-1 is a perspective view of a growing trough used in thehydroponic growing system;

FIG. 15-2 is a top down view of the growing trough used in thehydroponic growing system;

FIG. 15-3 is a front or back view of the growing trough used in thehydroponic growing system;

FIG. 16-1 is a perspective view of an engagement device configured tomove a growing trough within the hydroponic growing system;

FIG. 16-2 is a side view of the engagement device configured to move thegrowing trough within the hydroponic growing system;

FIGS. 17 to 23 are schematic diagrams of the engagement device engagingwith and moving the growing trough in a direction along an axis;

FIG. 24 is a flow diagram of an example of managing flow of a liquidsolution in a growing system;

FIG. 25 is a flow diagram of an example of a method of moving at leastone trough in the hydroponic growing system; and

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of example components of the computingdevice of the hydroponic growing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of various configurations and isnot intended to represent the only configurations in which the conceptsdescribed herein may be practiced. The detailed description includesspecific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understandingof various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that these concepts may be practiced without these specificdetails. In some instances, well known components are shown in blockdiagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts. In someimplementations, examples may be depicted with reference to one or morecomponents and one or more methods that may perform the actions oroperations described herein, where components and/or actions/operationsin dashed line may be optional.

The present disclosure relates to a hydroponic growing system.Hydroponics may involve growing plants in or using a liquid or waterbased nutrient rich solution. Hydroponics allows for the growing ofplants or crops in a controlled or semi-controlled environment so as toavoid or mitigate potential harsh weather patterns. For example,hydroponics may deliver adequate amounts of nutrients, water, and/orlight to plants even in areas lacking any of such ingredients useful forplant growth. However, growing plants within a small area or asefficiently as traditional outdoor farming may present yielddisparities. That is, the growing area available indoors or for ahydroponic growing system employed outdoors may generally be smallerrelative to outdoor farming, thereby resulting in potentially lowerplant or crop yields. Thus, a hydroponic growing system that allows forefficient growth of large amounts of plants or crops in an automatedmanner may be desirable.

As such, the present implementations provide a hydroponic growing systemthat may support plant growth in an automated manner. Specifically, thehydroponic growing system may provide a constant flow of nutrientsolution to the roots of each plant arranged along one or more growingtroughs (e.g., also known as a growing channel) via a continuouscirculation pump. In particular, the nutrient solution is pumped, in anautomated manner, into the one or more growing troughs on one end andflows over the roots of the plants, eventually draining back into areservoir on the opposite end. The nutrient solution flows freely fromone end to another end due to a varying slope of the growing channel. Asthe nutrient solution passes each plant, the corresponding roots mayabsorb at least some nutrients from the liquid solution, which mayinclude, but are not limited to, nitrogen, potassium, and/or phosphate.Further, to provide efficient plant growth and harvesting, thehydroponic growing system may automatically move the one or more growingtroughs in a direction along an axis as the plants grow.

The hydroponic growing system provides a constant flow of water in eachgrowing channel in a circulatory manner so as to reduce contaminationrisk. Further, as the plant roots are exposed to water, oxygen, andnutrients, the hydroponic growing system may promote healthy plantgrowth using lower water and nutrient consumption. Further, thehydroponic growing system may provide higher yields of plants over anextended period of growing consistent with or outpacing outdoor grownplants. In some implementations, the hydroponic growing system may ormay not use soil as part of the growing process.

In the following discussion, an example environment is first describedthat may employ the techniques described herein. Implementationsdiscussed herein are not limited to the example environment, and theexample environment is not limited to implementations discussed herein.Next, example device orientations are discussed in accordance with oneor more implementations. Following this, example hydroponics growingsystems are discussed in accordance with one or more implementations.Finally, an example system and device are discussed that may implementvarious techniques described herein.

FIG. 1-1 is a perspective view of a hydroponic growing system 100including one or more components configured to enable or support plantgrowth. The hydroponic growing system 100 may include one or morecomponents for growing of plants in an automated or semi-automatedmanner. For example, the hydroponic growing system 100 may include asingle growing line 124 where one or more growing troughs 102 move orprogress in a harvest direction 104, as further described herein atleast with respect to FIGS. 1-2, 1-3, 2-1, 2-2, and 3.

The hydroponic growing system 100 may include a gutter assembly 106,which may be configured to control and/or manage flow of a liquidsolution (e.g., water based nutrient mix) to the one or more componentswithin the hydroponic growing system 100, notably to and from the one ormore growing troughs 102. Further implementations of the gutter assembly106 are described herein at least with respect to FIGS. 10 to 14.

In addition, the hydroponic growing system 100 may include the one ormore growing troughs 102, which may be configured to receive, hold,and/or support one or more plants and traverse along the growing line inthe harvest direction 104. Further implementations of the one or moregrowing troughs 102 are described herein at least with respect to FIGS.15-1 to 15-3 and 17 to 23.

The hydroponic growing system 100 may include at least one engagementdevice 110, which may be configured to engage with and/or move the oneor more growing troughs 102 in the harvest direction 104. Furtherimplementations of the at least one engagement device 110 are describedherein at least with respect to FIGS. 16-1 to 23.

The hydroponic growing system 100 may further include an automationassembly 108, which may be configured to automatically move the one ormore growing troughs 102 from a first position on the gutter assembly106 to a second position on the gutter assembly 106, and which isfurther described herein at least with respect to FIGS. 4 to 9.

Moreover, hydroponic growing system 100 may include at least oneelongated member 114, which may be removably attached to the automationassembly 108 and configured to support the at least one engagementdevice 110 and/or the one or more growing troughs 102. Furtherimplementations of the at least one elongated member 114 are describedherein at least with respect to FIGS. 3 to 9.

The hydroponic growing system 100 may include a base 112, which may beconfigured to structurally support the one or more components of thehydroponic growing system 100. Further implementations of the base 112are described herein at least with respect to FIGS. 2-1, 2-2, 3, 10,13-1, and 13-2.

FIG. 1-2 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the one or more growingtroughs 102 in an initial position 116. For example, the one or moregrowing troughs 102 may initially be placed at a backend of thehydroponic growing system 100. In operation, the one or more growingtroughs 102, which may include at least one young plant, may beinitially placed at a backend of the hydroponic growing system 100. Theone or more growing troughs 102 may be moved, by one or more componentsof the hydroponic growing system 100 such as, but not limited to, theautomation assembly 108 and/or the at least one engagement device 110,in the harvest direction 104 (e.g., as the plants mature). In someimplementations, the spacing between the one or more growing troughs 102may be of a first length 120, for example, as the young plants do notexceed the width of a growing trough on which they are contained. Thatis, the spacing or distance between at least one of the one or moregrowing troughs 102 may be of a first length.

FIG. 1-3 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the one or more growingtroughs at a frontend of the hydroponic growing system 100 in a harvestposition 118. Specifically, as the one or more growing troughs 102traverse or move along the hydroponic growing system 100 in the harvestdirection 104 and towards the harvest position 118, the spacing betweentroughs may progressively or gradually increase. The increase in thespace or distance between two troughs may be a function of one or morecharacteristics of a plant, plant variety, and/or plant species. Assuch, upon reaching the harvest position 118, the spacing or distancebetween at least one of the one or more growing troughs, which maycontain at least one mature plant, may be of a second length 122 greaterthan the first length 120. In some implementations, the spacing ordistance between any two of the one or more growing troughs 102 may bedistinct. Upon removing and harvesting the plant or crop from at leastone of the one or more growing troughs 102 from the hydroponic growingsystem 100, the at least one growing trough may be replanted with one ormore plants and placed on the hydroponic growing system 100 in theinitial position 116.

While implementations presented herein are discussed in the context of agreenhouses, it is to be appreciated that various other types and formfactors of devices may be utilized in accordance with the claimedimplementations. Thus, the hydroponic growing system 100 may operate ina variety of growing environments both indoors and/or outdoors.

FIG. 2-1 is a perspective view of a hydroponic growing system 200employing at least two growing lines. The hydroponic growing system 200may include one or more components for growing of plants in an automatedor semi-automated manner. The hydroponic growing system 200 may includeone or more growing lines 124 and 124′. For example, growing line 124 ofthe hydroponic growing system 200 may include an example of a base 112,a gutter assembly 106, one or more growing troughs 102, and anautomation assembly 108. Similarly, growing line 124′ of the hydroponicgrowing system 100 may include an example of a base 112′, a guttercomponent 106′, one or more growing troughs 102′, and an automationassembly 108′. In some implementations, the growing lines 124 and 124′may share or include a single component or single set of components forboth growing lines 124 and 124′. For example, in some implementations,the growing lines 124 and 124′ may include a single automation assembly108.

FIG. 2-2 is an enlarged perspective view of an adjoining front area ofthe hydroponic growing system 100 including two or more growing lines.In some implementations, the growing lines 124 and 124′ may share acommon support structure 126. The support structure 126 may be part ofbase 112 of growing line 124 and/or base 112′ of growing line 124′. Thegrowing lines 124 and 124′ may operate independently such that the oneor more growing troughs 102 of the growing line 124 may move or traverseindependently of the one or more growing troughs 102′ of the growingline 124′. For example, the one or more growing troughs 102 of thegrowing line 124 may contain a first plant or plant species whereas theone or more growing troughs 102′ of the growing line 124′ contain asecond plant or plant species different from the first plant or plantspecies, thereby having different maturity times (e.g., corresponding todifferent harvest times).

FIG. 3 is a side view of a frontend of the hydroponic growing system 100illustrating the one or more growing troughs 102 engaging with one ormore engagement devices 110. The one or more engagement devices may besupported by or removably attached to at least one elongated member 114.The at least one elongated member 114 may be configured to move, via theautomation assembly 108, between at least two positions tocorrespondingly shift or move the one or more engagement devices 110. Insome implementations, the elongated member 114 may be a galvanized orcoated pipe or shaft having a geometrical shape. Accordingly, the one ormore engagement devices 110 may each be configured to move the one ormore growing troughs 102 in a harvest direction 104. Specifically, theone or more engagement devices 110 may initially be moved or shifted ina direction opposite the harvest direction 104 and behind the one ormore growing troughs 102. The one or more engagement devices 110 maythen move or effectively drive the one or more growing troughs 102towards the harvest direction 104 by a defined distance.

The automation assembly 108 may be configured to move or shift theelongated member 114 supporting or including the one or more engagementdevices 110, which in turn moves or shifts the one or more growingtroughs 102 in the harvest direction 104. The at least one elongatedmember 114 may include at least one gap portion component 304, which maybe configured to extend a spacing distance 308 between two or moregrowing troughs. In some implementations, the gap portion component 304may include a retractable element that moves between a first retractableposition and a second retractable position. The hydroponic growingsystem 100 may also include a drain component 302 of the gutter assembly106, which may be configured to guide the liquid solution received froman end of the one or more growing troughs 102 into a reservoir.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an automation assembly 108 of thehydroponic growing system 100 configured to move or shift the one ormore growing troughs 102 in the harvest direction 104 via the one ormore engagement devices 110 situated on the elongated member 114.Specifically, the automation assembly 108 may include an actuatorcomponent 402 configured to move or shift the elongated member 114supporting the one or more engagement devices 110 between a first memberposition and a second member position. For example, the first memberposition may correspond to a location in front of a growing trough to beengaged with and moved by at least one of the one or more engagementdevices 110 following movement to a second member position behind atleast a portion of the growing trough. In some implementations, theactuator component 402 may correspond to at least one of a hydrauliccylinder component, a pneumatic cylinder component, and/or anelectromechanical actuator. A variety of different configurations can beemployed for attaching the automation assembly 108 and/or the actuatorcomponent 402 to base 112 in accordance with various implementations.For example, the automation assembly 108 and/or the actuator component402 may be removably attached to the base 112 via support portion 406.

The automation assembly 108 may further include an automation component410 removably attached to the actuator component 402, and configured totrigger the actuator component 402 to move the at least one elongatedmember 114 between the first member position and the second memberposition. In an example, the automation component 410 may receive anindication causing or triggering the automation component 410 to triggerthe actuator component 402 to move or shift the elongated member 114between the first member position and the second member position bymoving or shifting a support portion, such as shaft 408, as described infurther detail herein. In some implementations, the indication may bereceived from an automated triggering component 520, which may beconfigured to detect or sense a removal of at least one growing troughfrom a gutter 414 of the gutter assembly 106. The automated triggeringcomponent 520 may include be a light sensor, a weight sensor, aproximity sensor, and/or a magnetic sensor.

In some implementations, the automation component 410 may correspond toa hydraulic pump configured to provide liquid to the actuator component402 to move or shift the elongated member 114, and thereby the one ormore engagement devices 110 disposed or removably attached thereon,between the first member position and the second member position. Insome implementations, the automation component 410 may correspond to anair or pneumatic pump configured to provide gas (e.g., air) to theactuator component 402 to move or shift the elongated member 114, andthereby the one or more engagement devices 110 disposed or removablyattached thereon, between the first member position and the secondmember position.

The automation assembly 108 may also include at least one sensorcomponent 404 removably attached to the actuator component 402. Inparticular, the at least one sensor component 404 may be configured tocease or halt movement of the actuator component 402 based on adetermination that the actuator component 402 satisfies a movementthreshold representing a maximum displacement distance of the actuatorcomponent 402 during the movement. For example, the actuator component402 may include at least one magnetic element slidably engaged with theactuator component 402. The at least one sensor component 404 may beconfigured to cease or stop movement of the actuator component when theactuator component 402 satisfies the movement threshold based on alocation of the at least one magnet or magnetic element with respect tothe actuator component 402.

In some implementations, the actuator component 402 may automaticallyreturn to an original state corresponding to the first member positionupon the actuator component 402 satisfying the movement threshold. Forexample, the actuator component 402 may begin in a compressed orcontracted state prior to receiving an indication to move or shift theelongated member 114. Upon receiving the indication, the actuatorcomponent 402 may be triggered to move or shift the shaft 408 and/or theelongated member 114 supporting or including the one or more engagementdevices 110 by a defined distance corresponding to the movementthreshold, which may be a displacement distance of a retractablecomponent of the actuator component 402.

Moving or shifting the at least one elongated member between the firstmember position and the second member position may cause the one or moreengagement devices 110 to slidably engage with the at least one growingtrough when moving from the first member position to the second memberposition. Further, moving the elongated member 114 between the firstmember position and the second member position may cause or trigger atleast one growing trough from the one or more growing troughs 102 tomove or shift from a first position on a gutter 414 of the gutterassembly 106 to a second position on the gutter 414 of the gutterassembly 106 towards the harvest direction 104. In some implementations,moving the elongated member 114 between the first member position andthe second member position may cause or trigger the one or moreengagement devices 110 to engage with the at least one growing trough ofthe one or more growing troughs 102 to move the at least one growingtrough from a first position on a gutter 414 of the gutter assembly 106to a second position on the gutter 414 of the gutter assembly 106 whenmoving the one or more engagement devices 110 from the second memberposition to the first member position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the elongated member 114 may include at least onegap portion component 304 configured to extend a spacing distancebetween two or more growing troughs. In some implementations, the gapportion component 304 may include a retractable element that movesbetween a first retractable position and a second retractable position.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic view 500 of an automation assembly 108including an enlarged schematic view of an actuator component 402engaged with an elongated member 114 supporting at least one engagementdevice 110 in accordance with one or more implementations. Generally,the schematic view 500 depicted in FIG. 5 represents the automationassembly 108 in a first position, such as the position 602 depicted inFIG. 6. The schematic view illustrates the automation assembly 108 withvarious other components of the hydroponic growing system 100, includingthe support portion 406, shaft 408, automation component 410, elongatedmember 114, the at least one engagement device 110, and at least onesensor component 404. Additionally, the hydroponic growing system 100and/or the automation assembly 108 may include at least one of automatedtriggering component 520, the harvest determination component 530, andthe processor(s) 540. According to various implementations, the actuatorcomponent 402 represents a portion of the automation assembly 108 thatincludes the shaft 408, and to which a moveable component, such as theelongated member 114, can be attached. For instance, the shaft 408 canbe attached to the elongated member 114 to enable movement of theelongated member 114 between a first member position and a second memberposition such that the one or more engagement devices 110 engage withthe one or more growing troughs 102 to move at least one growing troughfrom a first position on the gutter assembly 106 to a second position onthe gutter assembly 106 in the harvest direction 104. Moreover, as willbe explained in detail below, the shaft 408 may slidably engage with theactuator component 402 as the actuator component 402 is triggered by theautomation component 410.

As illustrated, the elongated member 114 supports the at least oneengagement device 110. A variety of different configurations can beemployed for attaching the elongated member 114 to the shaft 408 inaccordance with various implementations. For instance, in thisimplementation, the elongated member 114 at least partially extendsaround the automation assembly 108.

Further depicted in FIG. 5 is the automation component 410 which may beremovably attached to the actuator component 402. For instance, theautomation component 410 may be configured to trigger the actuatorcomponent 402 to move the elongated member 114 between the first memberposition and the second member position. According to variousimplementations, the automation component 410 may trigger the actuatorcomponent 402 based on a plurality of mechanisms including, but notlimited to a mechanical component, an electro-mechanical component, ahydraulic component, or pneumatic component. Correspondingly, theactuator component 402 may correspond to at least one of a mechanicalcylinder component, electro-mechanical component, hydraulic component,and/or pneumatic component.

As illustrated in this implementation, the automation component 410 mayinclude a hydraulic pump 502 configured to provide liquid to theactuator component 402 (i.e., configured as a hydraulic cylinder) toengage the shaft 408 to move the elongated member 114 between the firstmember position and the second member position. As shown, the hydraulicpump 502 is removably attached to the actuator component 402 via a firsttube 504 and a second tube 506. Hydraulic liquid may flow 508 betweenthe actuator component 402 and the hydraulic pump 502 through the firsttube 504, and hydraulic liquid may flow 510 between the actuatorcomponent 402 and the hydraulic pump 502 through the second tube 506.The hydraulic pump 502 may control the amount (i.e., pressure) anddirection of the flows 508 and/or 510.

In an implementation, a sensor component 404 may be removably attachedto the actuator component 402, and may be configured to cease movementof the actuator component 402 and/or the shaft 408 when the actuatorcomponent 402 satisfies a movement threshold representing a maximumdisplacement distance of the actuator component 402 during the movement.A variety of different sensors can be employed for ceasing movement ofthe actuator component 402 in accordance with various implementations.An example of the sensor component 404 employing a magnetic element 516is discussed below.

For instance, the sensor component 404 may include a first sensor 512located at a first end of the sensor component 404 and a second sensor514 located at a second end of the sensor component 404. As shown, thesensor component 404 may be substantially the same length as theactuator component 402 such that the first end and the second end of thesensor component 404 line up with a first end and second end of theactuator component 402, respectively. Moreover, the sensor component 404may include a connection component 518 attached to both the magneticelement 516 and the shaft 408. As further detailed below, sensorcomponent 404 may be configured to communicate with the automationcomponent 410 to return the actuator component 402 to an original statecorresponding to the first member position.

As described herein, the actuator component 402 may be configured as ahydraulic cylinder including a shaft 408 partially inside the actuatorcomponent 402. For instance, the shaft 408 may correspond to a rodand/or shaft with a surface that slidably engages with the interiorsurface of the actuator component 402. Moreover, the actuator component402 may include a piston (not shown) that is attached to the shaft 408and engages the shaft 408 through the actuator component 402 once theactuator component 402 is triggered by the automation component 410based at least on the pressure level inside the actuator component 402.

In various implementations, the actuator component 402 transitionsbetween an original state to a second state, such that, the shaft 408slidably engages with the actuator component 402 in directions 570. Forinstance, the hydraulic pump 502 injects liquid at a first pressurelevel through the first tube 504 and into the actuator component 402,and drains the liquid at a second pressure level through the second tube506. The injected liquid increases the pressure required to force theshaft 408 to slidably engage with the actuator component 402 to move theelongated member 114 from the first member position towards the secondmember position. As the hydraulic pump 502 injects more liquid into theactuator component 402 through first tube 504, the shaft 408 movestowards the second member position. As the shaft 408 moves in directions570, the connection component 518 slidably engages with the sensorcomponent 404 in directions 560, respectively. Moreover, as the shaft408 moves in directions 570, the elongated member 114 moves indirections 550 between a first member position and a second memberposition, respectively. Correspondingly, as further detailed below, whenthe elongated member 114 moves between the first member position and thesecond member position, the at least one engagement device 110 engageswith at least one growing trough of the one or more growing troughs 102.

In at least some implementations, the length between the first memberposition and the second member position corresponds to the lengthbetween the shaft 408 in the original state and the second state.Similarly, the length between the first sensor 512 and the second sensor514 corresponds to the length between the shaft 408 in the originalstate and the second state.

In an implementation, when the magnetic element 516 reaches the secondsensor 514, the sensor component 404 triggers the automation component410 to halt flow 508 of the liquid through the first tube 504, and todrain the liquid from the actuator component 402 through the second tube506. For instance, when the sensor component 404 triggers the automationcomponent 410 and/or the hydraulic pump 502, the liquid flows 510through the second tube 506 releasing/decreasing the pressure in theactuator component 402. As the pressure in the actuator component 402decreases, the shaft 408 returns to the original state. Further, as theshaft 408 returns to the original state, the connection component 518slidably engages with the sensor component 404 to move the magneticelement 516 back to the first sensor 512.

In an implementation, the hydroponic growing system 100 may include theautomated triggering component 520, which may be communicatively coupledto the automation assembly 108. Generally, the automation assembly 108may be configured to automatically move at least one growing trough ofthe one or more growing troughs 102 from the first position on thegutter assembly 106 to the second position on the gutter assembly 106 inresponse to receiving a triggering signal from the automated triggeringcomponent 520. For example, the automated triggering component 520 maybe configured to determine whether at least one growing trough of theone or more growing troughs 102 is removed from the hydroponic growingsystem 100, and transmit the triggering signal to the automationassembly 108 to automatically move a second growing trough of the one ormore growing troughs 102 from the first position on the gutter assembly106 to the second position on the gutter assembly 106 based on adetermination that the at least one growing trough of the one or moregrowing troughs 102 is removed from the hydroponic growing system 100.The automated triggering component 520 may include a light sensor, aweight sensor, a proximity sensor, and/or a magnetic sensor in order todetect the removable of at least one of the one or more growing troughs102.

In an implementation, hydroponic growing system 100 may include aharvest determination component 530, which may be in communication withor communicatively coupled connected to the automated triggeringcomponent 520. For example, the harvest determination component 530configured to monitor the one or more plants and/or determine whether toprompt the automated triggering component 520 to transmit the triggeringsignal to the automation assembly 108. Specifically, the harvestdetermination component 530 may determine that a weight or shape of atleast one plant in or supported by the at least one growing trough ofthe one or more growing troughs 102 satisfies a harvesting condition orthreshold. The harvesting condition may be a weight, shape, and/or atleast one detectable characteristic of the plant. In accordance with adetermination that at least one detectable characteristic of the plantsatisfies the harvest condition or threshold, the automated triggeringcomponent 520 may be triggered to transmit the triggering signal to theautomation assembly. A variety of different configurations can beemployed for configuring the automated triggering component 520 and theharvest determination component 530 in accordance with variousimplementations. For example, the automated triggering component 520 andharvest determination component 530 may be configured to communicatewith one or more processor(s) 540.

FIG. 6 depicts schematic views in an implementation scenario fortriggering of an example actuator component 402 in accordance with oneor more implementations. The depictions of the automation assembly 108in the scenario 600 show a schematic view of the actuator component 402and the automation component 410.

In scenario 600, the actuator component 402 moves from an originalstate, such as the position 602, to a transitioning state, such as theposition 604, e.g., introduced with reference to FIG. 5. For instance,the automation component 410 triggers the actuator component 402 suchthat the shaft 408 moves in a direction 606. Notice that as the shaft408 moves in the direction 606, the elongated member 114 simultaneouslymoves in the direction 610. Further, the connection component 518 thatis connected to shaft 408 simultaneously engages the sensor component404 such that the magnetic element 516 moves in the direction 608.

As described herein, the automation component 410 may include ahydraulic pump 502 that initiates a flow 612 of liquid through the firsttube 504 and into the actuator component 402 and a flow 614 of liquidthrough second tube 506 and into hydraulic pump 502. As a result of theliquid flowing into the actuator component 402, the piston (not shown)that is attached to the shaft 408 engages the shaft 408 due to thepressure within the actuator component 402. The pressure from the liquidflowing from the first tube 504 causes the actuator component 402 tochange from the original state to the transitioning state by applying aforce (i.e., pressure) on the piston engaged with the shaft 408, whichin turn, causes the shaft 408 to move in direction 606.

During movement of the shaft 408, the shaft 408 engages with theelongated member 114, which in turn, causes the elongated member 114 tomove from a first member position to a second member position indirection 610. Accordingly, the connection component 518 engaged withthe magnetic element 516 and connected to shaft 408 moves magneticelement 516 from first sensor 512 towards direction 608. As mentionedabove, the movements of the shaft 408, the elongated member 114, and themagnetic element 516 occur simultaneously, and include a relatively sameamount of displacement from their original positions.

For instance, in this case of scenario 600, movement of the shaft 408from the position 602 to position 604 causes movement of the shaft 408such that the shaft 408 slides within actuator component 402. In variousimplementations, the interior of actuator component 402 has a level orzero slope relative to the direction of movement of shaft 408, such thatthe movement of shaft 408 from the position 602 to the position 604 isassociated with a substantially constant sliding friction. In otherwords, the interior of actuator component 402 has a substantially levelsurface, so the linear movement of shaft 408 along actuator component402 does not increase the engagement force and/or the friction force.This substantially constant amount of sliding friction enables thelinear movements of the shaft 408, the elongated member 114, and themagnetic element 516.

FIG. 7 depicts an implementation scenario 700 for further movement ofthe shaft 408 in accordance with one or more implementations. Thedepictions of the automation assembly 108 in the scenario 700 show aschematic view of the automation assembly 108. In at least someimplementations, the scenario 700 represents a continuation of thescenario 600, described above.

In the scenario 700, the shaft 408 further moves in direction 606 fromposition 604, introduced above with reference to FIG. 6, to the position702. As the shaft 408 further moves in direction 606, the elongatedmember 114 further moves in direction 610 and reaches the second memberposition.

In various implementations, the flow 612 of the liquid through the firsttube 504 from the hydraulic pump 502 and into the actuator component 402may continue. As a result of the liquid continually flowing into theactuator component 402, the piston (not shown) that is attached to theshaft 408 continually engages the shaft 408 due to the increasedpressure within the actuator component 402 from the direction of thefirst tube 504. In an example, the pressure level of the liquid flowing612 into the actuator component 402 is greater than the pressure levelof the liquid flowing 614 out of actuator component 402 through secondtube 506. The pressure from the liquid causes the actuator component 402to continue in the transitioning state by applying a force (i.e.,pressure) on the piston engaged with the shaft 408, which in turn,causes the shaft 408 to continue moving in direction 606.

During movement of the shaft 408 in the scenario 700, the shaft 408further engages with the elongated member 114, which in turn, causes theelongated member 114 to move in direction 610 to a second memberposition. Accordingly, the connection component 518 engaged with themagnetic element 516 and connected to the shaft 408 moves magneticelement 516 in direction 608 towards the second sensor 514. As describedfurther herein, when shaft 408 reaches the position 702, the magneticelement 516 will overlap with the second sensor 514, which in turn, willcause the sensor component 404 to indicate to the automation component410 and/or the hydraulic pump 502 to cease the flow 612 of the liquidthrough the first tube 504 and the flow 614 through the second tube 506,and to begin the process of draining the liquid from actuator component402, so as to return the actuator component 402 to its original state.

FIG. 8 depicts an example scenario 800 for returning the actuatorcomponent 402 to its original state in accordance with one or moreimplementations. The scenario 800, for instance, represents a scenariowhere the shaft 408 moves from the second state, such as the position702, to the transitioning state, such as the position 802. For instance,the automation component 410 triggers the actuator component 402 suchthat the shaft 408 moves in direction 804. As the automation assembly108 moves from the position 702 to the position 802, the elongatedmember 114 moves in direction 808 from the second member positiontowards the first member position. Further, as the shaft 408 moves indirection 804, the connection component 518 slidably engages with thesensor component 404 to move the magnetic element 516 in direction 806back towards the first sensor 512.

As illustrated in the upper portion of the scenario 800, when shaft 408reaches the position 702, the magnetic element 516 will overlap with thesecond sensor 514, which in turn, will cause the sensor component 404 toindicate to the automation component 410 and/or the hydraulic pump 502to cease the flows 612 and 614 of the liquid through the first tube 504and the second tube 506, respectively, and to begin the process ofdraining the liquid from actuator component 402, so as to return theactuator component 402 to its original state. For instance, the secondsensor 514 senses the magnetic element 516, and transmits a signal tothe automation component 410 and/or the hydraulic pump 502 to ceasepumping the liquid, and to begin draining the liquid from the actuatorcomponent 402.

In various implementations, the automation component 410 and/or thehydraulic pump 502 may trigger the flow 810 of the liquid through secondtube 506 to actuator component 402 and from the hydraulic pump 502. As aresult of the liquid entering the actuator component 402 from thedirection of the second tube 506, the piston (not shown) that isattached to the shaft 408 engages the shaft 408 due to the pressurewithin the actuator component 402. In an example, the pressure level ofthe liquid flowing 810 into the actuator component 402 is greater thanthe pressure level of the liquid flowing 812 out of the actuatorcomponent 402 through the first tube 504. The pressure from the liquidcauses the shaft 408 to move in direction 804.

During movement of the shaft 408, the shaft 408 engages with theelongated member 114, which in turn, causes the elongated member 114 tomove from the second member position towards the first member positionin direction 808. Accordingly, the connection component 518 engaged withthe magnetic element 516 and connected to the shaft 408 moves themagnetic element 516 from the second sensor 514 towards direction 806.As mentioned above, the movements of the shaft 408, the elongated member114, and the magnetic element 516 occur simultaneously, and include arelatively same amount of displacement from their original positions.

For instance, in this case of scenario 800, movement of the shaft 408from the position 702 to the position 802 causes movement of the shaft408 such that the shaft 408 slides within the actuator component 402. Asdescribed herein, the interior of the actuator component 402 has a levelor zero slope relative to the direction of movement of shaft 408, suchthat the movement of the shaft 408 from the position 702 to the position802 is associated with a substantially constant sliding friction. Inother words, the interior of the actuator component 402 has asubstantially level surface, so the linear movement of the shaft 408along the actuator component 402 does not increase the engagement forceand/or the friction force. This substantially constant amount of slidingfriction enables the linear movements of the shaft 408, the elongatedmember 114, and the magnetic element 516.

FIG. 9 depicts an implementation scenario 900 for returning theautomation assembly 108 to its original state in accordance with one ormore implementations. The depictions of the automation assembly 108 inthe scenario 900 show a schematic view of the automation assembly 108.In at least some implementations, the scenario 900 represents acontinuation of the scenario 800, described above.

In the scenario 900, the shaft 408 further moves in direction 804 fromposition 802, introduced above with reference to FIG. 8, to the position602. As the shaft 408 further moves in direction 804, the elongatedmember 114 further moves in direction 808 and reaches the first memberposition.

In various implementations, the flow 810 of the liquid through thesecond tube 506 to the actuator component 402 and from the hydraulicpump 502, and the flow 812 through the first tube 504 may continue. As aresult of the liquid entering from the second tube 506 to the actuatorcomponent 402, the piston (not shown) that is attached to the shaft 408engages the shaft 408 due to the pressure within the actuator component402. The pressure from the liquid causes the shaft 408 to continue tomove in direction 804.

During movement of the shaft 408 in the scenario 900, the shaft 408further engages with the elongated member 114, which in turn, causes theelongated member 114 to move in direction 808 to the first memberposition. Accordingly, the connection component 518 engaged with themagnetic element 516 and connected to the shaft 408 moves the magneticelement 516 in direction 806 towards the first sensor 512. As describedfurther herein, when the shaft 408 reaches the position 602, themagnetic element 516 will overlap with the first sensor 512, which inturn, will cause the sensor component 404 to indicate to the automationcomponent 410 and/or the hydraulic pump 502 to cease flow 810 of theliquid through the second tube 506 and flow 812 of the liquid throughthe first tube 504. As a result, the actuator component 402 has returnedto its original state in the position 602.

FIG. 10 is a front view scenario 1000 of the hydroponic growing system100 including the one or more growing troughs 102 arranged at varyingangles with respect to an axis (e.g., horizontal axis). Specifically,the one or more growing troughs 102 may be or otherwise form a set ofgrowing troughs, from which a number of subsets of growing troughs maybe arranged at various angles as they traverse the hydroponic growingsystem 100. For example, as the plants contained in or on the one ormore growing troughs 102 grow or mature, their roots may correspondinglyincrease in size and/or length. The roots of the plants may act as animpediment to a flow velocity of the liquid solution. As such, as theroots increase in size and/or length, the flow velocity may decrease ifthe one or more growing troughs 102 are maintained at a fixed anglealong the harvest direction 104, thereby potentially preventing adequateamounts of liquid solution, if any, from reaching plants near and/or ata drain end 1010 of the one or more growing troughs 102. However,increasing an angle of the one or more growing troughs 102 below ahorizontal axis may increase the flow velocity of the liquid solution,and allow the liquid solution containing nutrients useful for plantgrowth to reach plants located at or near a drain end 1010. That is, asthe one or more growing troughs 102 are moved in the harvest direction104, the angle at which the one or more growing troughs 102 aresupported by the gutter assembly 106 may increase below the horizontalaxis.

As the one or more growing troughs 102 traverse or move across thehydroponic growing system 100 (e.g., by the one or more engagementdevices 110 via automation assembly 108), a subset of the growingtroughs 1002 may be arranged or positioned at a first angle. In otherwords, the subset of growing troughs 1002 may be positioned at a slope(e.g., first angle) such that the liquid solution that is injected orprovided into a liquid insertion side 1008 (e.g., via at least onetubing member 1006 of the gutter assembly 106) of the subset of growingtroughs 1002, travels through and exits or discharges out a drain end1010 and into a drain component 302 at a first velocity. In someimplementations, the drain component 302 may be removably attached tothe base 112 and configured to receive and drain the liquid solutionfrom the one or more growing troughs 102. The subset of growing troughs1004 may then move towards the harvest direction 104 and be arranged orpositioned at a second angle greater than the first angle. Accordingly,the subset of growing troughs 1004 may be positioned at the second anglesuch that the liquid solution that is injected or provided into theliquid insertion side 1008 travels through and exits out of the drainend 1010 at a second velocity greater than a first velocity.

In some implementations, as the one or more growing troughs 102 traverseor move along the hydroponic growing system 100 in the harvest direction104, the one or more growing troughs 102 may gradually decline below ahorizontal axis (e.g., X-axis). In other words, a negative slope valueof the one or more growing troughs 102 may increase as the one or moregrowing troughs 102 are shifted in the harvest direction 104. Forexample, the subset of growing troughs 1002 may have the first angle at‘−X’ degrees and the subset of growing troughs 1004 may have the secondangle at ‘−Y’ degrees, where Y is greater than X (e.g., Y>X).Alternatively, in some implementations, as the one or more growingtroughs 102 traverse or move along the hydroponic growing system 100 inthe harvest direction 104, an angle or slope of the one or more growingtroughs 102 may gradually increase towards the horizontal axis (e.g.,may increase in slope towards a zero value of the X-axis).

FIG. 11-1 is a perspective view of a gutter 1302 of the gutter assembly106. FIG. 11-2 is a front or back side view of the gutter 1302 of thegutter assembly 106 for use within the hydroponic growing system 100.The gutter 1302 may include a base 1112 including or forming an interiorportion 1108 configured to receive and/or retain the liquid solution.Further, the gutter 1302 may include a support portion 1104 configuredto provide support for at least one growing trough of the one or moregrowing troughs 102, as further shown and described herein with respectto FIG. 12. In some implementations, the support portion 1104 may beattached to a first side of the base 1112 opposite a second side of thebase including a cover 1106. The support portion 1104 may include acovered portion 1118 configured to permit smooth sliding or traversal ofthe one or more growing troughs 102 on the support portion 1104. Forexample, a portion of the support portion 1104 contacting or supportingthe one or more growing troughs 102 may be covered in a material thatallows for and does not restrict the one or more growing troughs 102from sliding along the support portion 1104 in the harvest direction104. In some implementations, the covered portion 1118 may be formed ofor otherwise correspond to a plastic material, a fabric material, and/ora composite material.

The gutter 1302 may include a cover 1106 attached to the base 1112 andconfigured to minimize light exposure into the interior portion 1108 andat an end portion of the at least one growing trough of the one or moregrowing troughs 102. The gutter 1302 may also include a cover plate 1110located at one or both ends of the gutter 1302 and configured to retainthe liquid solution within the interior portion 1108. That is, the coverplate 1110 prevents water or liquid from exiting the gutter 1302 fromthe side ends. In some implementations, the base 1112 may include arespective cover or side plate for each end of the gutter 1302. In someimplementations, a separate or distinct gutter 1302 may be provided atopposite ends of the hydroponic growing system 100, each of which mayform the gutter assembly 106.

The gutter may further include a stopper 1102 configured to form and/ormaintain a gap between the cover 1106 and any component that contactsthe stopper 1102, such as the one or more growing troughs 102, asfurther described herein with respect to FIG. 12. For instance, thestopper 1102 may engage an end of the at least one growing trough of theone or more growing troughs 102 to ensure a gap or spacing existsbetween the end of the at least one growing trough of the one or moregrowing troughs 102 and the cover 1106. Doing so mitigates a restrictionof a flow of liquid solution from the one or more growing troughs 102into the interior portion 1108 of the gutter 1302. That is, the gap orspacing formed by the stopper 1102 engaging the one or more growingtroughs 102 allows for the liquid solution to flow out of the end of theone or more growing troughs 102 and into the interior portion 1108. Insome implementations, the stopper 1102 may include a covered portion1116 configured to engage an end of the one or more growing troughs 102so as to mitigate undesirable noise from an engagement or clattering ofmetallic components (e.g., between the gutter 1302 and the one or moregrowing troughs 102).

The gutter 1302 may include a top cover 1114 configured to prevent ormitigate the entry of material or substances not including the liquidsolution from entering the interior portion 1108 from the top end. Also,the top cover 1114 may mitigate the growth of algae or other organismswithin the interior portion 1108 by inhibiting light from entering abottom of the interior portion 1108 retaining the liquid solution. Thetop cover 1114 may include one or more cover openings 1120 to allow theliquid solution to enter and be retained within the interior portion1108. For example, the one or more cover openings 1120 may be holes ofdistinct or identical shape spaced apart at varying or similar distancesfrom one another on the top cover 1114.

FIG. 12 is a growing trough support scenario 1200 of the gutter 1302supporting at least one growing trough 1202. The gutter 1302 maysupport, via the support portion 1104, the growing trough 1202 of theone or more growing troughs 102. Specifically, one end of the growingtrough 1202 may be placed on the support portion 1104 of the gutter1100. For example, as the growing trough 1202 moves or effectivelyslides along the harvest direction 104, the covered portion 1118 of thesupport portion 1104 may, alone or in combination with additionalsupport members of the base 112, support one end of the growing trough1202. In some implementations, the growing trough 1202 may traversealong the covered portion 1118 of the support portion 1104 in ahorizontal direction with respect to the base 112.

Further, the support portion 1104 may align the growing trough 1202 suchthat the cover 1106 sufficiently shields the end portion 1204 of thegrowing trough 1202 from light. For example, the cover 1106 may at leastminimize light exposure into the interior portion 1108 where at least aportion of the growing trough 1202 is situated such that the end portion1204 of the growing trough 1202 receives little to no light exposure.Specifically, to mitigate the growth of foreign organisms (e.g., moss)relying on light for growth at the end portion 1204 of the growingtrough 1202 (e.g., which may be part of the one or more growing troughs102), the cover 1106 may block or mitigate light exposure on at leastthe end portion 1204 of the growing trough 1202.

The growing trough 1202 may include at least one protrusion 1206 at oneor both sides of each end, as further described herein with respect toFIG. 15-2. The protrusion 1206 may removably engage with the stopper1102 so as to maintain a gap with the cover 1106. For example, toprevent accumulation of liquid solution within the interior of thegrowing trough 1202, and for the liquid solution to flow out of thegrowing trough 1202, a gap or spacing may be formed when the protrusionengages or contacts with the stopper 1102.

FIG. 13-1 is a schematic diagram of a gutter assembly 1300 including afirst gutter 1302 supporting at least one growing trough 1202 within thehydroponic growing system 100. For example, the gutter assembly 1300 maybe the same as or similar to the gutter assembly 106. Further, thegutter 1302 may be the same as or similar to gutter 1100. The gutterassembly 1300 may be removably attached to the base 112 of thehydroponic growing system 100. In some implementations, the gutter13021302 may be configured or disposed at an angle 1306 with respect toa horizontal axis 1308. That is, the gutter assembly 1300 may arrangethe gutter 13021302 at an angle such that the growing trough 1202, whenplaced or shifted along the hydroponic growing system 100 by the atleast one engagement device 110 supported by the elongated member 114,to a position adjacent to at least one tubing member 1006, may be at acorresponding angle to allow the liquid solution 1304 that is injectedor provided into the growing trough 1202 to flow from one side to anopposite side of the growing trough 1202.

The gutter assembly 1300 may include the gutter 1302 having at least onetubing member 1006 removably attached to the cover 1106. Specifically,the gutter assembly 1300 may include the at least one tubing member 1006removably attached to the gutter 1302 and configured to provide theliquid solution 1304 to the growing trough 1202 at a receiving end 1318.For instance, the cover 1106 may include an opening 1314 for receivingthe at least one tubing member 1006. The at least one tubing member 1006may be removably fixed to the cover 1106 at the opening 1314 via afastener or securing member. In some implementations, the at least onetubing member 1006 may be aligned with the growing trough 1202 such thatthe liquid solution 1304 may be received within an interior of thegrowing trough 1202 at a receiving end 1318. In some implementations,the at least one tubing member 1006 may be positioned or removablyattached at an angle with respect to a vertical axis such that theliquid solution 1304 is injected into the growing trough 1202 at acorresponding angle (e.g., so as to provide increased flow or flowvelocity of the liquid solution 1304). Further, by removably fixing theat least one tubing member 1006 at an angle, the gutter 1302 may capturethe liquid solution 1304 with or without the growing trough 1202 beingsupported by the support portion 1104. That is, the gutter 1302 maycapture the liquid solution 1304 injected by the at least one tubingmember 1006 when the growing trough 1202 is not present by the side ofthe gutter 1302 including the support portion 1104.

The gutter assembly 1300 may further include a nutrient module 1316removably attached to the at least one tubing member 1006, and may beconfigured to pump or otherwise provide the liquid solution 1304 throughthe at least one tubing member 1006 to the growing trough 1202.Specifically, the nutrient module 1316 may be a liquid retainingcomponent removably attached to the base 112 and including or connectedto a pumping component configured to pump the liquid solution 1304 tothe one or more growing troughs 102 including the growing trough 1202.In some implementations, the nutrient module 1316 in conjunction withthe reservoir 1310 may pump the liquid solution 1304 through the atleast one tubing member 1006. For example, the reservoir 1310 may pumpor otherwise provide a form of liquid (e.g., water nutrient solution) tothe nutrient module 1316 via an opened valve located between thenutrient module 1316 and the reservoir 1310. The nutrient module 1316may then pump or provide the liquid solution 1304 through one or moretubing members including the at least one tubing member 1006.

In some implementations, a single tubing member may correspond to asingle growing trough such that the single tubing member provides theliquid solution 1304 to a single growing trough at a given point intime. In some implementations, two or more tubing members may correspondto a single growing trough such that at least two tubing members providea portion of the liquid solution 1304 to a single growing trough (e.g.,one tubing member provides nutrients and another tubing member provideswater). In some implementations, a single tubing member may correspondto two or more growing troughs such that a single tubing member isconfigured to provide the liquid solution 1304 to at least two growingtroughs.

FIG. 13-2 is a schematic diagram of the gutter assembly 1300 including agutter 1312 and the growing trough 1202 within the hydroponic growingsystem 100. Gutter 1312 may be arranged or configured at a differentside of the gutter assembly 106 opposite the gutter 1302. Gutter 1312may be the same as or similar to gutter 1302. However, in someimplementations, the gutter 1312 may not have any tubing members as thegutter 1312 receives the liquid solution 1304 injected at the gutter1302. In some implementations, the gutter 1312 may include fewer tubingmembers than the gutter 1302. As the growing trough 1202 may be arrangedat an angle 1306 with respect to the horizontal axis 1308, the liquidsolution 1304 may flow from one end of the growing trough 1202 to adrain end 1320, where it may exit or drain into the gutter 1312. Theliquid solution 1304 may be guided into the reservoir 1310 via the draincomponent 302, which may be one or more pipes.

For example, the liquid solution 1304 may flow from a receiving end 1318of the growing trough 1202 to a drain end 1320 where the liquid solution1304, after passing through or coming in contact with roots of at leastone plant, exits or drains from the growing trough 1202 and into thedrain component 302. As such, the gutter assembly 1300 may allow forrecycling of the byproducts (e.g., water or nutrients) of the liquidsolution 1304. In particular, as the liquid solution 1304 drains intothe gutter 1312 and subsequently into the reservoir 1310, the liquidsolution 1304, which may be substantially water after the plants absorbat least some of the nutrients when passing through the growing trough1202, may be treated and mixed with additional nutrients to form orreform the liquid solution 1304. The liquid solution 1304 includingwater and plant nutrients (e.g., including various elements) may beprovided to or formed within the nutrient module 1316. As such, thehydroponic growing system 100 may recycle a substantial amount of waterand/or nutrients as the unused or unabsorbed liquid solution 1304 isreturned to a reservoir 1310 and reused as liquid solution 1304 for theplants.

In some implementations, the gutter assembly 106 may include at least afirst gutter (e.g., gutter 1302) at one side of the hydroponic growingsystem 100 and a second gutter (e.g., gutter 1312) at or on an oppositeside of the hydroponic growing system 100 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1-1).For example, the first gutter (e.g., gutter 1302) may include at leastthe tubing members 1406, which may be configured to inject or providethe liquid solution 1304 at one end of each of the one or more growingtroughs 102. The second gutter (e.g., gutter 1312) may not include anytubing members and instead receives the liquid solution 1304 as theliquid solution 1304 exits or discharges from the opposite end of eachof the one or more growing troughs 102. That is, the second gutter(e.g., gutter 1312) may act as or correspond to a collection plane. Insome implementations, an entire length of the gutter 1302 and/or gutter1312 may include tubing members each arranged at a defined distance withrespect to another tubing member (e.g., a direction of the lengthcorresponding to the harvest direction 104).

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the hydroponic growing system100 showing some of one or more tubing members 1406 of the gutterassembly 106 aligned with a corresponding one of the one or more growingtroughs 102. As shown in FIG. 14, each tubing member of the one or moretubing members 1406 may be separated by a distance with respect toanother tubing member. For example, a tubing member separation distance1402 between a first tubing member and second tubing member may be thesame as a growing trough separation distance 1404 between a firstgrowing trough and second growing trough. As the one or more growingtroughs 102 traverse the hydroponic growing system 100 in the harvestdirection 104, they may be shifted to a position aligned with arespective tubing member. In some implementations, a first group orsubset of tubing members of the one or more tubing members 1406 may beseparated from each other at a first distance, and a second group orsubset of tubing members of the one or more tubing members 1406 may beseparated from each other at a second distance different or distinctfrom the first distance. For example, a separation distance between theone or more tubing members 1406 may increase towards the harvestdirection 104. Hence, the separation or gap between the one or moretubing members 1406 may gradually increase as the one or more growingtroughs 102 move in the harvest direction 104.

In some implementation, the one or more growing troughs 102 includingthe at least one growing trough 1202 may be arranged at an angle withrespect to a support structure engaged with a base of the one or moregrowing troughs 102 such that the liquid solution flows from a first endportion a second end portion of each growing trough. The supportstructure may correspond to the gutter assembly 106. For example, thesupport structure may include the first gutter moveably engaged with afirst underneath end portion of the at least one growing trough 1202 anda second gutter moveably engaged with the second underneath end portionof the at least one growing trough 1202. In some implementations, theone or more growing troughs 102, via a bottom portion of a base of eachgrowing trough, may be configured to slide along the support structurein a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of the liquid solution1304.

FIG. 15-1 is a perspective view of an example growing trough 1500 usedin the hydroponic growing system 100. FIG. 15-2 is a top down view ofthe growing trough 1500. FIG. 15-3 is a front or back view of thegrowing trough 1500. In some implementations, the growing trough 1500may be part of the one or more growing troughs 102. In someimplementations, the growing trough 1500 may be the same as or similarto the at least one growing trough 1202.

The growing trough 1500 may include a base 1502 configured to providestructural support. The growing trough 1500 may further include a topcover portion 1504 connected to the base 1502 and including one or moreopenings 1506 each configured to receive, hold, and/or support at leastone plant. The one or more openings 1506 may provide access to aninterior 1508. The growing trough 1500 may include an underneath portion1522. Specifically, the underneath portion 1522 may be an area forming abottom exterior side of the base 1502. The growing trough 1500 may alsoinclude bottom edge or slope portions 1518 and 1520 on both sides andmay not include the interior 1508 (e.g., which may be flat along aplane). For example, the bottom edge or slope portions 1518 and 1520 maybe sloped downward to guide the liquid solution into a respective gutterof the gutter assembly 106.

In some implementations, a portion of the plant (e.g., bottom stem area)may be encapsulated in a soil pod. The top cover portion 1504 and thebase 1502 may form the interior 1508 configured to support a flow of theliquid solution 1304. The interior 1508 may correspond to a hollowinterior portion allowing a portion of the roots of the plants to besuspended and another portion contacting the underneath portion 1522 ofthe interior 1508 while the liquid solution 1304 travels from a firstend 1510 to a second end 1512. In some implementations, each of the oneor more openings 1506 may be or otherwise include a distinct or anidentical geometrical shape, or a combination thereof. In someimplementations, both ends of the growing trough 1500, being the firstend 1510 and the second 1512, may be identical or distinct.

The first end 1510 of the base 1502 may provide access to the interior1508 (e.g., for the at least one tubing member 1006 to inject the liquidsolution 1304). Further, the second end 1512 of the base 1502 may beopposite the first end 1510 and also provides access to the interior1508 (e.g., for allowing the liquid solution 1304 to drain or exit intoa gutter such as gutter 1312). The interior 1508 may include at leastone ridge 1516 configured to disperse, spread and/or distribute the flowof the liquid water solution along a width of a bottom of the interior1508 of the growing trough 1500 so as to mitigate a concentration offlow of the liquid solution to a particular location or side of theinterior 1508. For example, the at least one ridge 1516 may extend fromthe opening of the first end 1510 to the opening of the second end 1512.In some implementations, the at least one ridge 1516 may be uniform ordistinct in height and/or size compared to another ridge. In someimplementations, the at least one ridge 1516 may be arranged in auniform or non-uniform pattern to direct the flow of the liquid solutionalong the bottom of the interior 1508 of the growing trough 1500.

The growing trough 1500 may be movable along a direction perpendicularto a flow direction of the liquid solution within the interior portion1508. The opening of the first end 1510 and the second end 1512 may beperpendicular to and/or on a different plane with respect to the one ormore openings 1506 of the top cover portion 1504 (e.g., the first end1508 and the second end 1512 correspond to the y-plane and the one ormore openings 1506 correspond to the x-plane). The base 1502 may includeat least two elongated support members 1514 each located at oppositeedges of the base 1502, and at one or both of the first end 1510 and/orsecond end 1512. In some implementations, each of the at least twoelongated support members 1514 may include a respective protrusion 1206,where one or both of the first end 1510 and/or the second end 1512 mayinclude the at least two elongated support members 1514.

In some implementations, one of the at least two elongated supportmembers 1514 may be configured to contact and/or engage at least oneengagement device 110 moving between a first position in front of or atone side of a growing trough 1500 to a second position behind or atanother side of the growing trough 1500. The contact may occur when theat least one engagement device 110 moves from a first position to asecond position while the growing trough 1500 maintains a positionduring the contact. The contact may occur when the at least oneengagement device 110 moves from the second position toward the firstposition while the growing trough 1500 moves in a direction of the firstposition. In some implementations, the growing trough 1500 may stackwith another growing trough such that the top cover portion 1504 of thegrowing trough 1500 engages with a bottom portion of a base of the othergrowing trough. In some implementations, the growing trough 1500 may beformed of a plastic material, a metal material (e.g., aluminum), and/ora composite material.

FIG. 16-1 is a perspective view of an engagement device 1600 configuredto move a growing trough such as the one or more growing troughs 102within the hydroponic growing system 100. FIG. 16-2 is a side view ofthe engagement device 1600. In some implementations, the engagementdevice 1600 may be the same as or similar to the at least one engagementdevice 110.

The engagement device 1600 may include a base 1602 configured to rotateabout an axis 1604. The engagement device 1600 may further include afirst portion 1606 of the base 1602 including a pivot member 1610configured to engage with a securing component to rotate the base aboutan axis 1604, which may be a horizontal axis. In some implementations,the securing component may correspond to a rod or shaft having ageometrical shape such as, but not limited to a cylindrical shaperemovably attached to the pivot member 1610. Furthermore, the firstportion 1606 may have or otherwise be of a first weight or mass.

The engagement device 1600 may also include a second portion 1608 of thebase weighted greater than the first portion 1606 of the base andconfigured to apply a constant weighted force on the base so as tomaintain a resting position/state based on an application of a force onthe second portion 1608. That is, because the second portion 1608 of thebase is weighted greater than the first portion 1606 (e.g., theweight/mass of the second portion 1608 is greater than the first portion1606), without a constant force applied to engagement device. Theengagement device 1600 may include a restrictor 1614 to restrict therotation to a defined angle. In particular, upon reaching the definedangle, the restrictor 1614 may prevent further rotation of theengagement device 1600 by engaging with a surface of the elongatedmember 114. In some implementations, the second portion 1608 may or maynot be in contact with the elongated member 114 when in a restingposition/state. The engagement device 1600 may include capture member1612 that extends from the base 1602. The capture member 1612 may beconfigured to contact and/or engage with at least one growing trough1500 during at least one of two movement events.

For example, a first movement event may include moving or shifting theengagement device 1600 in a first direction opposite the harvestdirection 104 causing the capture member 1612 to slide along orunderneath a base 1502 of growing trough 1500. In some implementations,the sliding of the capture member 1612 may cause the pivot member 1610to rotate downwards about the axis 1604 as the capture member 1612slidably contacts the base 1502 of the growing trough 1500 (e.g., whilethe growing trough 1500 maintains a resting or non-moving position).Accordingly, rotating the pivot member 1610 may cause the second portion1608 to rotate in an upward direction about the axis 1604.

Further, the rotation of the engagement device 1600 about the axis 1604in the downward direction may not exceed a maximum downward rotationthreshold configured to enable the second portion 1608 of the base 1602to return to the resting position/state. That is, to prevent or mitigatethe engagement device 1600 from rotating to a point where the weight ormass of the second portion 1608 effectively flips the engagement devicebelow the axis 1604 (e.g., or another axis running perpendicular to theaxis 1604). In some implementations, the maximum downward rotationthreshold may correspond to a permitted maximum rotation angle of theengagement device 1600 with respect to the axis 1604. In someimplementations the maximum rotation angle may be an angle at which therestrictor 1614 prevents further rotation of the engagement device 1600about the axis 1604.

For example, a second movement event may include moving or shifting theengagement device 1600 in a second direction (e.g., the harvestdirection 104) causing the capture member 1612 to engage or contact aportion of the base 1502 of the growing trough 1500 to apply anengagement force on the base 1502 of the growing trough 1500 so as tomove the growing trough 1500 from an initial position to a subsequentposition towards the harvest direction 104. In some implementations, theengagement force may prevent the pivot member 1610 from rotating aboutthe axis 1604. In some implementations, a bottom surface of the secondportion 1608 of the base 1602 may be configured to maintain the restingposition/state while the engagement device 1600 is moved or moving inthe direction along the harvest direction 104. In some implementations,a bottom surface of the second portion 1608 of the base 1602 may beconfigured in an elevated or raised position such that the secondportion 1608 is not contacting the elongated member 114 while theengagement device 1600 is moved or moving the growing trough 1500 in theharvest direction 104.

The pivot member 1610 may removably attach the engagement device 1600 toan elongated member 114 via the same or different securing component. Insome implementations, the elongated member 114 may be configured to moveor shift the engagement device 1600 in at least one of a first directionbackwards and underneath the base 1502 of the growing trough 1500 (e.g.,and opposite the harvest direction 104), or a second direction along theharvest direction 104 and opposite the first direction (e.g. so as toshift the growing trough 1500 forward towards the harvest direction104).

Further, the engagement device may be moved from the first positiontowards the growing trough 1500 located at the second position such thatthe capture member 1612 slides along the base 1502 of the growing trough1500. In some implementations, moving in the second direction mayinclude moving the engagement device 1600 towards the first positionsuch that the capture member 1612 engages the base 1502 of the growingtrough 1500 to move the at least one trough towards the first position(e.g., starting position of the engagement device 1600 prior to shiftingtowards the growing trough 1500). In some implementations, theengagement device 1600 may be configured to sequentially move in thefirst direction and then the second direction, where the seconddirection may correspond to a harvest direction 104. In someimplementations, the resting position/state may correspond to a bottomsurface of the second portion 1608 of the base 1602 contacting a surfaceof the elongated member 114. In some implementations, the restingposition/state may correspond to a position underneath and proximate oneof the at least two elongated support members 1514 of the growing trough1500 following the second movement event.

FIG. 17 depicts a schematic view 1700 of an engagement device, such asengagement device 1600, engaging with a growing trough, such as growingtrough 1500 1600 in accordance with one or more implementations.Generally, the view 1700 depicted in FIG. 17 represents the engagementdevice 1600 supported by the elongated member 114 in a second memberposition, such as the position 2102 depicted in FIG. 21, engaging withthe growing trough 1500 that is slidably engaged with a gutter assembly(not shown), such as the gutter assembly 106. The schematic viewillustrates the interaction between the engagement device 1600 and thegrowing trough 1500 with various other components of the hydroponicgrowing system 100, including the elongated member 114, and the securingcomponent 1708. As described herein, the hydroponic growing system 100may include the automation assembly 108, which may be configured movablyengage with one or more growing troughs 102, such as the growing trough1500, by automatically moving one or more growing troughs 102, such asthe growing trough 1500, from a first position on the gutter assembly106 to a second position on the gutter assembly 106.

According to various implementations, the automation assembly 108engages with the one or more growing troughs 102 by moving an elongatedmember 114 supporting one or more engagement devices, such as theengagement device 1600, between a first member position and a secondmember position. For instance, the shaft 408 of the automation assembly108 can be attached to the elongated member 114 to enable movement ofthe elongated member 114 between a first member position and a secondmember position. Moreover, as will be explained in detail below, theengagement device 1600 may engage with the growing trough 1500 as theactuator component 402 is triggered by the automation component 410.

As illustrated, the elongated member 114 supports one or more engagementdevices 1600. A variety of different configurations can be employed forattaching an engagement device 1600 to the elongated member 114 inaccordance with various implementations. For instance, in thisimplementation, the pivot member 1610 of the engagement device 1600removably attaches to the elongated member 114 via the securingcomponent 1708 allowing for rotation of the base 1602 about the axis1604.

As illustrated in this implementation, the elongated member 114 may movein directions 550 between a first member position and a second memberposition. As shown, the engagement device 1600 is removably attached tothe elongated member 114 via the securing component 1708, and movesbetween the first member position and the second member position alongwith the elongated member 114 in directions 1704. Notice that as theelongated member 114 moves in directions 550, the engagement device 1600simultaneously moves in directions 1704, and include a relatively sameamount of displacement from their original positions.

As described herein, the support members 1514 that slidably engage withthe gutter assembly 106 extend lower than the base 1502 of the growingtrough 1500. Accordingly, when the engagement device 1600 moves from thefirst member position to the second member position, the capture member1612 engages with at least one of the support members 1514 such thatbase 1602 rotates 1710/1712 about the axis 1604. For instance, rotatingthe pivot member 1610 causes the first portion 1606 of the base 1602 andthe capture member 1612 to rotate in a downward direction about the axis1604 and causes the second portion 1608 to rotate in an upward directionabout the axis 1604.

In an implementation, the engagement between the capture member 1612 andat least one of the support members 1514 ceases as the engagement device1600 moves towards the second member position. For instance, the secondportion 1608 of the base 1602 is weighted greater than the first portion1606 of the base 1602. The second portion 1608 is configured to apply aconstant weighted force on the base 1602 so as to maintain a restingposition based on an application of the weighted force on the secondportion 1608. As further detailed below, once the engagement between thecapture member 1612 and at least one of the support member s1514 ceasesthe first portion 1606 of the base 1602 and the capture member 1612 torotate in an upward direction about the axis 1604 and the second portion1608 rotates in a downward direction about the axis 1604 based on theweighted force on the second portion 1608.

Accordingly, the engagement device 1600 engages with the growing trough1500 such that the engagement device 1600 slidably engages 1714 with theunderneath portion 1522 of the growing trough 1500. The growing trough1500 may be configured such that the capture member 1612 of theengagement device 1600 contacts the underneath portion 1522 of thegrowing trough 1500 without disturbing the position of the growingtrough 1500 on the gutter assembly 106. Although the capture member 1612is shown engaging with the slope portions 1518 and/or 1520, it should benoted that the capture member 1612 may be configured to engage with theunderneath portion 1522 of the growing trough 1500. Accordingly, whenthe elongated member 114 and the engagement device 1600 move from thefirst member position to the second member position, the engagementdevice 1600 interacts with the growing trough 1500 in such a way so asto not disturb and/or alter the position of the growing trough 1500 onthe gutter assembly 106. That is, the growing trough 1500 maintains aresting position as the capture member 1612 slides along the underneathportion 1522.

In an implementation, the engagement device 1600 engages with thegrowing trough 1500 such that the growing trough 1500 may move indirection 1706. For instance, when elongated member 114 moves from thesecond member position to the first member position, the engagementdevice 1600 simultaneous moves from the second member position to thefirst member position, which in turn, causes the capture member 1612 toengage with one of the support members 1514 and/or the underneathportion 1522 of the growing trough 1500. As further detailed below, theengagement device 1600 and/or the capture member 1612 applies anengagement force on at least one of the support members 1514 and/or theunderneath portion 1522 of the growing trough 1500 to move the growingtrough 1500 from a first position to a second position in direction1706.

FIG. 18 depicts schematic views in an implementation scenario forremoving a trough and moving an engagement device in accordance with oneor more implementations. The depictions of the growing trough 1500 andthe engagement device 1600 in the scenario 1800 show a schematic view ofthe growing trough 1500 and the engagement device 1600.

In scenario 1800, the engagement device 1600 begins moving in direction1808 from the position 1802 to the position 1808 after the growingtrough 1500 is removed. For instance, the growing trough 1500 may belocated at or towards the front of the hydroponic growing system 100.Accordingly, the one or more plants on the growing trough 1500 may beready for harvesting. Further, both the growing trough 1500 and theengagement device 1600 may be in a resting state, such that there is no(or minimal) force being applied at the point of contact 1810 by thecapture member 1612 to at least one of the support members 1514.Although the capture member 1612 is shown engaging with at least one ofthe support members 1514 below the slope portions 1518 and/or 1520, itshould be noted that the capture member 1612 may be configured to engagewith the underneath portion 1522 of growing trough 1500. For example,the capture member 1612 may be configured at a length that enables it toreach the underneath portion 1522, such that the point of contact 1810is located at a point on the underneath portion 1522 (e.g., within thedotted oval).

In various implementations, as described herein, the harvestdetermination component 530 may monitor the one or more plants on thegrowing trough 1500 and/or determine to prompt the automated triggeringcomponent 520 to transmit the triggering signal to the automationassembly 108. The hydroponic growing system 100 may include one or moremechanisms to automatically remove the growing trough 1500 from thegutter assembly 106, such as, but not limited to, an electromechanicaldevice (e.g., robotic arm) that clasps and/or engages at least onegrowing trough of the one or more growing troughs 102 and lifts and/orremoves the at least one growing trough of the one or more growingtroughs 102 from the gutter assembly 106 of the hydroponic growingsystem 100. In another implementation, the growing trough 1500 may bemanually removed from the gutter assembly 106. Moreover, as describedherein, the automated triggering component 520 may determine that thegrowing trough 1500 is removed from the hydroponic growing system 100,and transmit the triggering signal to the automation assembly 108 toautomatically move the growing trough 1500′ to the previous position ofthe growing trough 1500 before it was removed. As mentioned above, themovements of the elongated member 114 and the engagement device 1600occur simultaneously, and include a relatively same amount ofdisplacement from their original positions.

In an implementation, the automation component 410 of the automationassembly 108 may be configured to trigger the actuator component 402 tomove the elongated member 114 between the first member position and thesecond member position. Accordingly, as the elongated member 114 movesfrom the first member position, such as position 1802, towards thesecond member position, the engagement device 1600 moves in direction1808. As illustrated, the engagement device 1600 is supported by theelongated member 114. For instance, the pivot member 1610 of theengagement device 1600 removably attaches to the elongated member 114via the securing component 1708 allowing for rotation of the base 1602about the axis 1604.

During movement of the engagement device 1600, the second portion 1608of the base 1602 maintains the resting state. For instance, since thesecond portion 1608 of the base 1602 is weighted greater than the firstportion 1606 of the base 1602, a constant weight force is being appliedso as to maintain the resting state (i.e., no rotation occurs about theaxis 1604).

FIG. 19 depicts an implementation scenario 1900 for further movement ofthe engagement device 1600 in accordance with one or moreimplementations. The depictions of the growing trough 1500′ and theengagement device 1600 in the scenario 1900 show a schematic view of thegrowing trough 1500′ and the engagement device 1600. In at least someimplementations, the scenario 1900 represents a continuation of thescenario 1800, described above.

In the scenario 1900, the engagement device 1600 further moves indirection 1808 from the position 1804, introduced above with referenceto FIG. 18, to the position 1902. As the elongated member 114 furthermoves towards the second member position, the engagement device 1600further moves in direction 1808.

During movement of the engagement device 1600 in scenario 1900, theengagement device 1600 approaches the growing trough 1500′, as depictedin position 1902. For instance, the growing trough 1500′ may be locatedon the gutter assembly 106 next to the growing trough 1500 prior to theremoval of the growing trough 1500 from the gutter assembly 106 and/orthe hydroponic growing system 100. Accordingly, after removal of thegrowing trough 1500 in scenario 1800, the growing trough 1500′ is to bemoved to the position on the gutter assembly 106 previously situated bythe growing trough 1500.

As illustrated, during movement of the engagement device 1600, thesecond portion 1608 of the base 1602 maintains the resting state. Forinstance, since the second portion 1608 of the base 1602 is weightedgreater than the first portion 1606 of the base 1602, a constant weightforce is being applied so as to maintain the resting state (i.e., norotation occurs about axis 1604).

FIG. 20 depicts an implementation scenario 2000 for further movement ofthe engagement device 1600 and engagement with the growing trough 1500′in accordance with one or more implementations. The depictions of thegrowing trough 1500′ and the engagement device 1600 in the scenario 2000show a schematic view of the growing trough 1500′ and the engagementdevice 1600. In at least some implementations, the scenario 2000represents a continuation of the scenario 1900, described above.

In the scenario 2000, the engagement device 1600 further moves indirection 1808 from the position 1902, introduced above with referenceto FIG. 19, to the position 2002. As the elongated member 114 furthermoves towards the second member position, the engagement device 1600further moves in direction 1808.

During movement of the engagement device 1600 in scenario 2000, theengagement device 1600 engages the growing trough 1500′, as depicted inthe position 2002. For instance, when the engagement device 1600 movesfrom the first member position to the second member position, thecapture member 1612 engages with at least one of the support members1514′ such that the base 1602 rotates about the axis 1604. For instance,rotating the pivot member 1610 causes the first portion 1606 of the base1602 and the capture member 1612 to rotate in a downward direction 2004about the axis 1604 and causes the second portion 1608 to rotate in anupward direction 2006 about the axis 1604. In various implementations,rotating in the downward direction 2004 does not exceed a maximumdownward rotation threshold configured to enable the second portion 1608of the base 1602 to return to the resting state (i.e., no rotationoccurs about the axis 1604). Moreover, rotating in the upward direction2006, causes the second portion 1608 of the base 1602 to lift off of theelongated member 114.

FIG. 21 depicts an implementation scenario 2100 for further movement ofthe engagement device 1600 and engagement with growing trough 1500′ inaccordance with one or more implementations. The depictions of thegrowing trough 1500′ and the engagement device 1600 in the scenario 2100show a schematic view of the growing trough 1500′ and the engagementdevice 1600. In at least some implementations, the scenario 2100represents a continuation of the scenario 2000, described above.

In the scenario 2100, the engagement device 1600 further moves indirection 1808 from the position 2002, introduced above with referenceto FIG. 20, to the position 2102. As the elongated member 114 furthermoves towards the second member position, such the position 2102, theengagement device 1600 further moves in direction 1808.

During movement of the engagement device 1600 in scenario 2100, theengagement device 1600 engages the growing trough 1500′, as depicted inposition 2002. In particular, once the engagement between the capturemember 1612 and at least one of the support members 1514 ceases as theengagement device 1600 moves in direction 1808, the engagement device1600 returns to its resting position. For instance, the second portion1608 of the base 1602 is weighted greater than the first portion 1606 ofthe base 1602. The second portion 1608 is configured to apply a constantweighted force on the base 1602 so as to maintain a resting positionbased on an application of the weighted force on the second portion1608. As illustrated in the position 2102, once the engagement betweenthe capture member 1612 and one of the support members 1514′ ceases, thefirst portion 1606 of the base 1602 and the capture member 1612 torotate in an upward direction 2104 about the axis 1604 and the secondportion 1608 rotates in a downward direction 2106 about the axis 1604based on the weighted force on the second portion 1608.

Accordingly, the engagement device 1600 engages with the growing trough1500′ such that the engagement device 1600 slidably engages 2108 withthe growing trough 1500′. Growing trough 1500′ may be configured suchthat the capture member 1612 of the engagement device 1600 contacts thebase 1502′ of the growing trough 1500′ without disturbing the positionof the growing trough 1500′ on the gutter assembly 106. Although thecapture member 1612 is shown engaging with the slope portions 1518′and/or 1520′, it should be noted that the capture member 1612 may beconfigured to engage with the underneath portion 1522′ of the growingtrough 1500′. For example, the capture member 1612 may be configured ata length that enables it to reach the underneath portion 1522′, such theengagement 2108 is located at a point on the underneath portion 1522′(e.g., within the dotted oval). Accordingly, when the elongated member114 and the engagement device 1600 move from the first member positionto the second member position, engagement device 1600 interacts with thegrowing trough 1500′ in such a way so as to not disturb and/or alter theposition of the growing trough 1500′ on gutter assembly 106. That is,the growing trough 1500′ maintains a resting position as the capturemember 1612 either engages at least one of the support members 1514′and/or slides along the base 1502′.

FIG. 22 depicts an example scenario 2200 for returning the engagementdevice 1600 to the first member position in accordance with one or moreimplementations. The scenario 2200, for instance, represents a scenariowhere the engagement device 1600 and the elongated member 114 move fromthe second member position, such as the position 2102, towards the firstmember position, such as the position 2202. The depictions of thegrowing trough 1500′ and the engagement device 1600 in the scenario 2200show a schematic view of growing trough 1500′ and the engagement device1600. In at least some implementations, the scenario 2200 represents acontinuation of the scenario 2100, described above.

For instance, as described herein, the sensor component 404 isconfigured to cease movement of the actuator component 402 when theactuator component 402 satisfies a movement threshold representing amaximum displacement distance of the actuator component 402 during themovement. In various implementations, the maximum displacement distancecorresponds to the elongated member 114 and the engagement device 1600reaching the second member position, such as the position 2102.Accordingly, once the actuator component 402 satisfies a movementthreshold, the actuator component 402 automatically returns to anoriginal state corresponding to the first member position, which in turnmoves the elongated member 114 and the engagement device 1600 back tothe first member position.

During movement of the engagement device 1600 in scenario 2200, theengagement device 1600 engages the growing trough 1500′, as depicted inthe position 2202. In particular, engagement device 1600 engages withthe growing trough 1500′ such that engagement device 1600 slidablyengages 2108 with the growing trough 1500′. For instance, the capturemember 1612 of the engagement device 1600 contacts the base 1502′ of thegrowing trough 1500′ without disturbing the position of the growingtrough 1500′ on gutter assembly 106 as the elongated member 114 and theengagement device 1600 moves in direction 2204 towards the first memberposition. Although the capture member 1612 is shown engaging with theslope portions 1518′ and/or 1520′, it should be noted that the capturemember 1612 may be configured to engage with the underneath portion1522′ of the growing trough 1500′. For example, the capture member 1612may be configured at a length that enables it to reach the underneathportion 1522′, such the engagement 2108 is located at a point on theunderneath portion 1522′ (e.g., within the dotted oval).

As illustrated, the engagement device 1600 engages with the growingtrough 1500′ such that the growing trough 1500′ may move in direction1706. For instance, when the elongated member 114 moves from the secondmember position to the first member position, the engagement device 1600simultaneous moves from the second member position towards the firstmember position, which in turn, causes the capture member 1612 to engage2206 with one of the support members 1514′. Although the capture member1612 is shown engaging with at least one of the support members 1514′below the slope portions 1518′ and/or 1520′, it should be noted that thecapture member 1612 may be configured to engage with the underneathportion 1522′ of the growing trough 1500′. For example, the capturemember 1612 may be configured at a length that enables it to reach theunderneath portion 1522′, such that the engagement 2206 is located at apoint on the underneath portion 1522′ (e.g., within the dotted oval).Accordingly, the engagement device 1600 and/or the capture member 1612applies an engagement force on at least one of the support members 1514′of growing trough 1500′ to move the growing trough 1500′ from a firstposition to a second position in direction 1706.

FIG. 23 depicts an implementation scenario 2300 for further movement ofthe engagement device 1600 and engagement with growing trough 1500′ inaccordance with one or more implementations. The depictions of thegrowing trough 1500′ and the engagement device 1600 in the scenario 2300show a schematic view of the growing trough 1500′ and the engagementdevice 1600. In at least some implementations, the scenario 2300represents a continuation of the scenario 2200, described above.

In the scenario 2300, the engagement device 1600 further moves indirection 2204 from the position 2202, introduced above with referenceto FIG. 22, to the first member position, the position 2302. As theelongated member 114 further moves towards the first member position,such the position 2302, the engagement device 1600 further moves indirection 2204.

During movement of the engagement device 1600 in scenario 2100, theengagement device 1600 engages the growing trough 1500′, as depicted inthe position 2202. In particular, the capture member 1612 engages 2206with one of support members 1514′. For instance, the engagement device1600 and/or the capture member 1612 applies an engagement force on atleast one of the support members 1514 of the growing trough 1500 to movethe growing trough 1500 from a first position to a second position indirection 1706.

As illustrated, the engagement device 1600 engages with the growingtrough 1500′ until the engagement device 1600 reaches the first memberposition, such as the position 2302. For instance, when the actuatorcomponent 402 returns to the original state, the elongated member 114and the engagement device 1600 have returned to the first memberposition and stop moving. As a result returning to the first memberposition, the engagement device 1600 no longer applies an engagementforce on at least one of the support members 1514′ large enough to alterthe growing trough 1500′ from its resting position on the gutterassembly 106. In various implementations, the capture member 1612 stillmaintains contact 1810 with at least one of the support members 1514′.Although the capture member 1612 is shown engaging with at least one ofthe support members 1514′ below the slope portions 1518′ and/or 1520′,it should be noted that the capture member 1612 may be configured toengage with the underneath portion 1522′ of the growing trough 1500′.For example, the capture member 1612 may be configured at a length thatenables it to reach the underneath portion 1522′, such that the contact1810 is located at a point on the underneath portion 1522′ (e.g., withinthe dotted oval). Moreover, in the position 2302, the growing trough1500′ is now located in the position on the gutter assembly 106previously occupied by the growing trough 1500 before it was removed.Additionally, in the position 2302, the growing trough 1500′ is at thefront of the hydroponic growing system 100.

Referring to FIG. 24, for example, a method 2400 of moving at least onetrough (e.g., growing trough 1500) in a hydroponic growing system 100according to the implementations described herein facilitates efficientplant growth and/or harvest in accordance with one or more of theherein-defined actions.

At block 2402, the method 2400 may optionally receive, from at least onegrowing trough detection component, an indication representing a removalof at least one growing trough from a support portion of a gutter of thehydroponic growing system. For example, as described herein, theautomation component 410 may receive, from the automated triggeringcomponent 520, an indication representing a removal of at least onegrowing trough of the one or more growing troughs 102 from a supportportion 1104 of a gutter 1302 of the gutter assembly 106 within thehydroponic growing system 100.

At block 2404, the method 2400 may trigger, by an automation component,an actuator component to move at least one elongated member of thehydroponic growing system between a first member position and a secondmember position, the at least one elongated member supporting one ormore engagement devices configured to engage with the at least onegrowing trough. For instance, as described herein, the automationcomponent 410 may trigger an actuator component 402 to move or shift atleast one elongated member 114 of the hydroponic growing system 100between a first member position and a second member position, the atleast one elongated member 114 supporting one or more engagement devices110 configured to engage with the at least one growing trough (e.g.,growing trough 1500). In some implementations, triggering the actuatorcomponent 402 to move the at least one elongated member 114 between thefirst member position and the second member position may includetriggering the actuator component 402 in response to receiving theindication representing the removal of the at least one growing trough(e.g., growing trough 1500).

At block 2406, the method 2400 may move, by an actuator component, theat least one elongated member between the first member position and thesecond member position. For example, as described herein, the actuatorcomponent 402 may be configured to move the at least one elongatedmember 114 between the first member position and the second memberposition in response to receiving the indication representing theremoval of the at least one growing trough (e.g., growing trough 1500).

Referring to FIG. 25, for example, a method 2500 of managing flow of aliquid solution in a hydroponic growing system 100 according to theimplementations described herein facilitates efficient plant growth andharvest in accordance with one or more of the herein-defined actions.

At block 2502, the method 2500 may move at least one trough to aposition aligned with at least one tubing member of a first gutter. Forexample, as described herein, the automation assembly 108 may beconfigured to move at least one trough from the one or more growingtroughs 102 to a position aligned with at least one tubing member 1006of a first gutter 1302.

At block 2504, the method 2500 may inject the liquid solution into afirst end of at least one trough supported by a first support portionattached to a base of the first gutter, the liquid solution injected byat least one tubing member removably attached to a cover of the firstgutter. For instance, as described herein, the nutrient module 1316 maybe configured to inject the liquid solution 1304 into a first end (e.g.,end portion 1204) of at least one growing trough 1202 supported by afirst support portion (e.g., support portion 1104) attached to a base1112 of the first gutter (e.g., gutter 1302), the liquid solutioninjected by at least one tubing member 1006 removably attached to acover 1106 of the first gutter 1302.

At block 2506, the method 2500 may receive the liquid solution at a baseof a second gutter from a second end of the at least one troughsupported by a second support portion attached to the base of the secondgutter. For example, as described herein, a base of a second gutter(e.g., gutter 1312) of the gutter assembly 106 disposed on an oppositeside of the hydroponic growing system 100 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1-1),may receive the liquid solution from a second end 1512 of the at leastone trough growing 1500 supported by a second support portion attachedto the base of the second gutter (e.g., gutter 1312).

FIG. 26 illustrates an example system 2600 that includes the hydroponicgrowing system 100, as described herein, and an example computing device2602 that is representative of one or more computing systems and/ordevices that may communicate with hydroponic growing system 100 viacommunication path or channel 2620, which may be wired or wireless. Inat least some implementations, the computing device 2602 represents animplementation of or otherwise may include the automation componentsdiscussed above. The computing device 2602 may be, for example, beconfigured to perform any or some of the actions or procedures asdescribed herein, for example, with respect to FIGS. 24 and 25.

The example computing device 2602 as illustrated includes a processingsystem 2604, one or more computer-readable media 2606, and one or moreI/O interface 2608 that are communicatively coupled, one to another.Although not shown, the computing device 2602 may further include asystem bus or other data and command transfer system that couples thevarious components, one to another. A system bus can include any one orcombination of different bus structures, such as a memory bus or memorycontroller, a peripheral bus, a universal serial bus, and/or a processoror local bus that utilizes any of a variety of bus architectures. Avariety of other examples are also contemplated, such as control anddata lines.

The processing system 2604 is representative of functionality to performone or more operations using hardware. Accordingly, the processingsystem 2604 is illustrated as including hardware element 2610 that maybe configured as processors, functional blocks, and so forth. This mayinclude implementation in hardware as an application specific integratedcircuit or other logic device formed using one or more semiconductors.The hardware elements 2610 are not limited by the materials from whichthey are formed or the processing mechanisms employed therein. Forexample, processors may be comprised of semiconductor(s) and/ortransistors (e.g., electronic integrated circuits (ICs)). In such acontext, processor-executable instructions may beelectronically-executable instructions.

The computer-readable media 2606 is illustrated as includingmemory/storage 2612. The memory/storage 2612 represents memory/storagecapacity associated with one or more computer-readable media. Thememory/storage component 2612 may include volatile media (such as randomaccess memory (RAM)) and/or nonvolatile media (such as read only memory(ROM), Flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, and so forth). Thememory/storage component 2612 may include fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, afixed hard drive, and so on) as well as removable media (e.g., Flashmemory, a removable hard drive, an optical disc, and so forth). Thecomputer-readable media 2606 may be configured in a variety of otherways as further described below.

Input/output interface(s) 2608 are representative of functionality toallow a user to enter commands and information to computing device 2602,and also allow information to be presented to the user and/or othercomponents or devices using various input/output devices. Examples ofinput devices include a keyboard, a cursor control device (e.g., amouse), a microphone, a scanner, touch functionality (e.g., capacitiveor other sensors that are configured to detect physical touch), a camera(e.g., which may employ visible or non-visible wavelengths such asinfrared frequencies to recognize movement as gestures that do notinvolve touch), and so forth. Examples of output devices include adisplay device (e.g., a monitor or projector), speakers, a printer, anetwork card, tactile-response device, and so forth. Thus, the computingdevice 2602 may be configured in a variety of ways to support userinteraction.

The computing device 2602 is further illustrated as beingcommunicatively and physically coupled to an input device 2614 that isphysically and communicatively removable from the computing device 2602.In this way, a variety of different input devices may be coupled to thecomputing device 2602 having a wide variety of configurations to supporta wide variety of functionality. In this example, the input device 2614includes one or more keys 2616, which may be configured as pressuresensitive keys, mechanically switched keys, and so forth.

The input device 2614 is further illustrated as include one or moremodules 2618 that may be configured to support a variety offunctionality. The one or more modules 2618, for instance, may beconfigured to process analog and/or digital signals received from thekeys 2616 to determine whether a keystroke was intended, determinewhether an input is indicative of resting pressure, supportauthentication of the input device 2614 for operation with the computingdevice 2602, and so on.

Various techniques may be described herein in the general context ofsoftware, hardware elements, or program modules. Generally, such modulesinclude routines, programs, objects, elements, components, datastructures, and so forth that perform particular tasks or implementparticular abstract data types. The terms “module,” “functionality,” and“component” as used herein generally represent software, firmware,hardware, or a combination thereof. The features of the techniquesdescribed herein are platform-independent, meaning that the techniquesmay be implemented on a variety of commercial computing platforms havinga variety of processors.

An implementation of the described modules and techniques may be storedon or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. Thecomputer-readable media may include a variety of media that may beaccessed by the computing device 2602. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable media may include “computer-readablestorage media” and “computer-readable signal media.”

“Computer-readable storage media” may refer to media and/or devices thatenable persistent storage of information in contrast to mere signaltransmission, carrier waves, or signals per se. Thus, computer-readablestorage media refers to non-signal bearing media. The computer-readablestorage media includes hardware such as volatile and non-volatile,removable and non-removable media and/or storage devices implemented ina method or technology suitable for storage of information such ascomputer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, logicelements/circuits, or other data. Examples of computer-readable storagemedia may include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, hard disks, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or otherstorage device, tangible media, or article of manufacture suitable tostore the desired information and which may be accessed by a computer.

“Computer-readable signal media” may refer to a signal-bearing mediumthat is configured to transmit instructions to the hardware of thecomputing device 2602, such as via a network. Signal media typically mayembody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules,or other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier waves, datasignals, or other transport mechanism. Signal media also include anyinformation delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media include wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such asacoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media.

As previously described, hardware elements 2610 and computer-readablemedia 2606 are representative of modules, programmable device logicand/or fixed device logic implemented in a hardware form that may beemployed in some examples to implement at least some aspects of thetechniques described herein, such as to perform one or moreinstructions. Hardware may include components of an integrated circuitor on-chip system, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logicdevice (CPLD), and other implementations in silicon or other hardware.In this context, hardware may operate as a processing device thatperforms program tasks defined by instructions and/or logic embodied bythe hardware as well as a hardware utilized to store instructions forexecution, e.g., the computer-readable storage media describedpreviously.

Combinations of the foregoing may also be employed to implement varioustechniques described herein. Accordingly, software, hardware, orexecutable modules may be implemented as one or more instructions and/orlogic embodied on some form of computer-readable storage media and/or byone or more hardware elements 2610. The computing device 2602 may beconfigured to implement particular instructions and/or functionscorresponding to the software and/or hardware modules. Accordingly,implementation of a module that is executable by the computing device2602 as software may be achieved at least partially in hardware, e.g.,through use of computer-readable storage media and/or hardware elements2610 of the processing system 2604. The instructions and/or functionsmay be executable/operable by one or more articles of manufacture (forexample, one or more computing devices 2602 and/or processing systems2604) to implement techniques, modules, and examples described herein.

Although the example implementations have been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the implementations defined in the appended claims isnot necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described.Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as example forms ofimplementing the claimed features.

Implementations discussed herein include:

Example 1

A hydroponic growing system, comprising: a base configured to supportone or more components; a gutter assembly removably attached the base,the gutter assembly configured to manage flow of a liquid solution tothe one or more components of the hydroponic growing system; at leastone growing trough movably engaged to the gutter assembly and configuredto hold one or more plants, the at least one growing trough movablealong a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of the liquidsolution in the at least one growing trough; and an automation assemblymovably engaged with the at least one growing trough, the automationassembly configured to move the at least one trough from a firstposition on the gutter assembly to a second position on the gutterassembly.

Example 2

A hydroponic growing system as described in example 1, wherein thegutter assembly includes a first gutter and a second gutter, the firstgutter configured to movably engage a first end portion of the at leastone growing trough and provide the liquid solution to the at least onegrowing trough, the second gutter configured to movably engage a secondend portion of the at least one growing trough and receive the liquidsolution from the at least one growing trough.

Example 3

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1 or2, wherein the gutter assembly includes at least one tubing memberremovably attached to the first gutter and configured to provide theliquid solution to the at least one growing trough via the first gutter,the automation component configured to move the at least one growingtrough from the first position on the gutter assembly to the secondposition on the gutter assembly to align with the at least one tubingmember located at the second position on the gutter assembly.

Example 4

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-3,wherein the gutter assembly includes a nutrient module removablyattached to the at least one tubing member and configured to pump theliquid solution through the at least one tubing member.

Example 5

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-4,wherein the gutter assembly includes at least one drain member removablyattached to the second gutter and configured to drain the liquidsolution received at the second gutter from the at least one growingtrough.

Example 6

A hydroponic growing system as described one or more of examples 1-5,wherein the at least one growing trough includes an interior portionconfigured to support a flow of the liquid solution, a first end portionproviding access to the interior portion, and a second end portionopposite the first end portion and providing access to the interiorportion.

Example 7

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-6,wherein the at least one growing trough is arranged at an angle withrespect to the base such that the liquid solution flows from the firstend portion to the second end portion.

Example 8

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-7,wherein the automation assembly includes at least one automationcomponent and at least one actuator component, the at least oneautomation component removably attached to the at least one actuatorcomponent triggering the at least one actuator component toautomatically move at least one elongated member supporting one or moreengagement devices between a first member position to a second memberposition.

Example 9

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-8,wherein the automation assembly includes at least one sensor componentremovably attached to the actuator component, the at least one sensorcomponent configured to cease movement of the actuator component whenthe actuator component satisfies a movement threshold representing amaximum displacement distance of the actuator component during themovement.

Example 10

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples 1-9,wherein the actuator component automatically returns to an originalstate corresponding to the first member position upon the actuatorcomponent satisfying the movement threshold.

Example 11

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-10, wherein the actuator component includes at least one magnetslidably engaged with the actuator component, the at least one sensormodule configured to cease movement of the actuator component when theactuator component satisfies the movement threshold based on a locationof the at least one magnet with respect to the actuator component.

Example 12

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-11, wherein moving the at least one elongated member between the firstmember position and the second member position causes at least onegrowing trough to move from a first position on a gutter assembly to asecond position on the gutter assembly.

Example 13

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-12, wherein the at least one elongated member includes at least onegap portion component configured to extend a spacing distance betweentwo or more growing troughs, the gap portion component including aretractable element that moves between a first retractable position anda second retractable position.

Example 14

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-13, wherein moving the at least one elongated member between the firstmember position and the second member position causes the one or moreengagement devices to slidably engage with the at least one growingtrough when moving from the first member position to the second memberposition.

Example 15

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-14, wherein moving the at least one elongated member between the firstmember position and the second member position causes the one or moreengagement devices to engage with the at least one growing trough tomove the at least one growing trough from a first position on a gutterto a second position on the gutter when moving the one or moreengagement devices from the second member position to the first memberposition.

Example 16

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-15, wherein the at least one automation component receives atriggering indication causing the at least one automation component totrigger the actuator component to move the at least elongated memberbetween the first member position to the second member position.

Example 17

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-16, wherein the at least one automation component corresponds to ahydraulic pump configured to provide liquid to the at least one actuatorcomponent to move the at least elongated member between the first memberposition to the second member position.

Example 18

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-17, wherein the at least one automation component corresponds to apneumatic pump configured to provide gas or air to the at least oneactuator component to move the at least elongated member between thefirst member position to the second member position.

Example 19

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-18, wherein the actuator component corresponds to at least one of ahydraulic component, a pneumatic component, or an electromechanicalactuator.

Example 20

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-19, further comprising an automated triggering component incommunication with or communicatively coupled or connected to theautomation assembly, the automation assembly configured to automaticallymove the at least one growing trough from the first position on thegutter assembly to the second position on the gutter assembly inresponse to receiving a triggering signal from the automated triggeringcomponent.

Example 21

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-20, further comprising a harvest determination componentcommunicatively coupled to the automated triggering component, theharvest determination component configured to monitor the one or moreplants and determine whether to prompt the automated triggeringcomponent to transmit the triggering signal to the automation assembly.

Example 22

A hydroponic growing system as described in one or more of examples1-21, wherein the automated triggering component is further configuredto: determine whether the at least one growing trough is removed fromthe hydroponic growing system; and transmit the triggering signal to theautomation assembly to automatically move at least a second growingtrough from the first position on the gutter assembly to the secondposition on the gutter assembly based on a determination that the atleast one growing trough is removed from the hydroponic growing system.

Example 23

An automation assembly, comprising: an actuator component configured tomove at least one elongated member supporting one or more engagementdevices between a first member position and a second member position;and an automation component removably attached to the actuatorcomponent, the automation component configured to trigger the actuatorcomponent to move the at least one elongated member between the firstmember position and the second member position.

Example 24

An automation assembly as described in example 23, further comprising atleast one sensor component removably attached to the actuator component,the at least one sensor component configured to cease movement of theactuator component when the actuator component satisfies a movementthreshold representing a maximum displacement distance of the actuatorcomponent during the movement.

Example 25

An automation assembly as described in examples 23 or 24, wherein theactuator component automatically returns to an original statecorresponding to the first member position upon the actuator componentsatisfying the movement threshold.

Example 26

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-25, wherein theactuator component includes at least one magnetic element slidablyengaged with the actuator component, the at least one sensor componentconfigured to cease movement of the actuator component when the actuatorcomponent satisfies the movement threshold based on a location of the atleast one magnet with respect to the actuator component.

Example 27

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-26, wherein movingthe at least one elongated member between the first member position andthe second member position causes at least one growing trough to movefrom a first position on a gutter to a second position on the gutter.

Example 28

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-27, wherein the atleast one elongated member includes at least one gap portion componentconfigured to extend a spacing distance between two or more growingtroughs, the gap portion component including a retractable element thatmoves between a first retractable position and a second retractableposition.

Example 29

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-28, wherein movingthe at least one elongated member between the first member position andthe second member position causes the one or more engagement devices toslidably engage with the at least one growing trough when moving fromthe first member position to the second member position.

Example 30

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-29, wherein movingthe at least one elongated member between the first member position andthe second member position causes the one or more engagement devices toengage with the at least one growing trough to move the at least onegrowing trough from a first position on a gutter to a second position onthe gutter when moving the one or more engagement devices from thesecond member position to the first member position.

Example 31

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-30, wherein the atleast one automation component receives an indication causing the atleast one automation component to trigger the actuator component to movethe at least elongated member between the first member position and thesecond member position.

Example 32

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-31, wherein the atleast one automation component corresponds to a hydraulic pumpconfigured to provide liquid to the at least one actuator component tomove the at least elongated member between the first member position andthe second member position.

Example 33

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-32, wherein the atleast one automation component corresponds to a pneumatic pumpconfigured to provide gas to the at least one actuator component to movethe at least elongated member between the first member position and thesecond member position.

Example 34

An automation assembly as described in examples 23-33, wherein theactuator component corresponds to at least one of a hydraulic cylinder,a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical actuator.

Example 35

An automation assembly for facilitating movement of at least one growingtrough within a hydroponic growing system, comprising: at least onesensing component configured to detect a removal of at least one growingtrough from a support portion of a gutter of the hydroponic growingsystem; an actuator component configured to move at least one elongatedmember supporting one or more engagement devices between a first memberposition and a second member position; and an automation componentremovably attached to the actuator component, the automation componentconfigured to cause the actuator component to move the at leastelongated member between the first member position and the second memberposition in response to detecting the removal of the at least onegrowing trough from the support portion of the gutter.

Example 36

An automation assembly as described in example 35, wherein moving the atleast one elongated member between the first member position and thesecond member position causes the one or more engagement devices toslidably engage with the at least one growing trough when moving fromthe first member position to the second member position.

Example 37

An automation assembly as described in examples 35 or 36, wherein movingthe at least one elongated member between the first member position andthe second member position causes the one or more engagement devicesmember to engage with the at least one growing trough to move the atleast one growing trough from a first position on a gutter to a secondposition on the gutter when moving the one or more engagement devicesmember from the second member position to the first member position.

Example 38

An automation assembly as described in examples 35-37, wherein the atleast one automation component corresponds to a hydraulic pumpconfigured to provide liquid to the at least one actuator component tomove the at least elongated member between the first member position andto the second member position.

Example 39

An automation assembly as described in examples 35-38, wherein the atleast one automation component corresponds to a pneumatic pumpconfigured to provide gas to the at least one actuator component to movethe at least elongated member between the first member position and tothe second member position.

Example 40

An automation assembly as described in examples 35-39, wherein theactuator component corresponds to at least one of a hydraulic cylinder,a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical actuator.

Example 41

A method of moving at least one trough in a hydroponic growing system,comprising: triggering, by an automation component, an actuatorcomponent to move at least one elongated member of the hydroponicgrowing system between a first member position and a second memberposition, the at least one elongated member supporting one or moreengagement devices configured to engage with the at least one growingtrough; and moving, by an actuator component, the at least one elongatedmember between the first member position and the second member position.

Example 42

A method as described in example 41, further comprising receiving, fromat least one detection component, an indication representing a removalof the at least one growing trough from a support portion of a gutter ofthe hydroponic growing system, wherein triggering the actuator componentto move the at least one elongated member between the first memberposition and the second member position includes triggering the actuatorcomponent in response to receiving the indication representing theremoval of the at least one growing trough.

Example 43

A gutter, comprising: a base including an interior portion configured toretain a liquid solution; a support portion attached to the base andconfigured to provide support for at least one growing trough; and acover attached to the base and configured to minimize light exposureinto the interior portion and at an end portion of the at least onegrowing trough.

Example 44

A gutter as described in example 43, further comprising at least onetubing member removably attached to the gutter and configured to providethe liquid solution to the at least one growing trough.

Example 45

A gutter as described in examples 43 or 44, wherein the cover includesan opening for receiving the at least one tubing member, the at leastone tubing member aligned with the at least one growing trough such thatthe liquid solution is received within an interior portion of the atleast one growing trough.

Example 46

A gutter as described in examples 43-45, wherein the base is furtherconfigured to capture the liquid solution that flows from the endportion of the at least one growing trough.

Example 47

A gutter as described in examples 43-46, further comprising a nutrientmodule removably attached to the at least one tubing member andconfigured to pump the water solution through the at least one tubingmember to the at least one growing trough.

Example 48

A gutter as described in examples 43-47, wherein the gutter is disposedor configured at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis.

Example 49

A gutter as described in examples 43-48, wherein the support portionpermits or supports the growing trough to traverse or move in ahorizontal direction with respect to the base.

Example 50

A gutter as described in examples 43-49, her comprising at least onedrain member removably attached to the base and configured to drain theliquid solution flowing to the base from the at least one growingtrough.

Example 51

A gutter as described in examples 43-50, further comprising a coverplate located at one or both ends of the gutter and configured to retainthe liquid solution within the interior portion.

Example 52

A gutter as described in examples 43-51, wherein the support portion isattached to or formed at a first side of the base opposite a second sideof the base including the cover.

Example 53

A gutter as described in examples 43-52, further comprising two or moretubing members removably attached to the gutter, wherein each tubingmember is separated by a distinct distance with respect to anothertubing member.

Example 53

A gutter assembly, comprising: a first gutter disposed at a first end ofa growing system, the first gutter including: a first base including aninterior portion and configured to retain a liquid solution; a firstsupport portion attached to the base and configured to provide supportfor a first end of at least one growing trough; and a first coverattached to the base and configured to minimize light exposure into theinterior portion and at the first end portion of the at least onegrowing trough; and a second gutter disposed at a second end oppositethe first end of the growing system, the second gutter including: asecond base including an interior portion and configured to retain aliquid solution; a second support portion attached to the base andconfigured to provide support for a second end of at least one growingtrough; and a second cover attached to the base and configured tominimize light exposure into the interior portion and at the second endportion of the at least one growing trough.

Example 54

A gutter assembly as described in example 53, wherein the first gutterfurther includes at least one tubing member removably attached to thefirst cover and configured to provide the liquid solution to the firstend of at least one growing trough.

Example 55

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53 or 54, wherein the secondbase of the second gutter is configured to receive the liquid solutionexiting from the at least one trough.

Example 56

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53-55, wherein the firstgutter includes a nutrient module removably attached to the at least onetubing member and configured to pump the liquid solution through the atleast one tubing member to the at least one growing trough.

Example 57

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53-56, wherein at least oneof the first gutter or second gutter is disposed at an angle withrespect to a horizontal axis.

Example 58

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53-57, wherein the growingtrough traverses along the first support portion and the second supportportion in a horizontal direction with respect to the first base and thesecond base.

Example 59

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53-58, wherein the secondgutter includes at least one drain member removably attached to the baseand configured to drain the liquid solution flowing to the base from theat least one growing trough.

Example 60

A gutter assembly as described in examples 53-59, wherein the firstsupport portion is attached to a first side of the first base opposite asecond side of the first base including the first cover, and wherein thesecond support portion is attached to a first side of the second baseopposite a second side of the second base including the second cover.

Example 61

A method of managing flow of a liquid solution in a growing system,comprising: injecting the liquid solution into a first end of at leastone trough supported by a first support portion attached to a base of afirst gutter, the liquid solution injected by at least one tubing memberremovably attached to a cover of the first gutter; and receiving theliquid solution at a base of a second gutter from a second end of the atleast one trough supported by a second support portion attached to thebase of the second gutter.

Example 62

A growing trough, comprising: a base configured to provide support; acover portion connected to the base and including one or more openingsconfigured to hold at least a plant, the cover portion and the baseforming an interior portion configured to support a flow of liquidsolution; a first end portion of the base providing access to theinterior portion; and a second end portion of the base opposite thefirst end portion and providing access to the interior portion.

Example 63

A growing trough as described in example 62, wherein one of the firstend portion or the second end portion receives the liquid solution suchthat the liquid solution flows within the interior portion towards another one of the first end portion or the second end portion.

Example 64

A growing trough as described in examples 62 or 63, wherein the growingtrough is arranged at an angle with respect to a support structureengaged with the base such that the liquid solution flows from one ofthe first end portion or the second end portion to an other of the firstend portion or the second end portion.

Example 65

A growing trough as described in examples 62-64, wherein the supportstructure corresponds to at least one gutter assembly.

Example 66

A growing trough as described in examples 62-65, wherein the supportstructure includes a first gutter of a gutter assembly moveably engagedwith the first end portion and a second gutter of the gutter assemblymoveably engaged with the second end portion.

Example 67

A growing trough as described in examples 62-66, wherein the liquidsolution exits from at least one of the first end portion into the firstgutter assembly or the second end portion into the second gutterassembly.

Example 68

A growing trough as described in examples 62-67, wherein a bottomportion of the base is configured to slide along the support structurein a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of the liquid solutionwithin the interior portion.

Example 69

A growing trough as described in examples 62-68, wherein a bottomportion of the interior includes at least one ridge configured todistribute the flow of the liquid solution.

Example 70

A growing trough as described in examples 62-69, wherein the at leastone ridge extends from the opening of the first end portion to theopening of the second end portion.

Example 71

A growing trough as described in examples 62-70, wherein the growingtrough is movable along a direction perpendicular to a flow direction ofthe liquid solution within the interior portion.

Example 72

A growing trough as described in examples 62-71, wherein the opening ofthe first end portion and the second end portion is perpendicular or ona different plane with respect to the one or more openings of the coverportion.

Example 73

A growing trough as described in examples 62-72, wherein the interiorportion corresponds to a hollow interior portion.

Example 74

A growing trough as described in examples 62-73, wherein the one or moreopenings provide access to the interior portion.

Example 75

A growing trough as described in examples 62-74, wherein each of the oneor more openings include a distinct or identical geometrical shape.

Example 76

A growing trough as described in examples 62-75, wherein the baseincludes at least two elongated support members each located at oppositeedges of the base.

Example 77

A growing trough as described in examples 62-76, wherein one of the atleast two elongated support members is configured to engage at least oneengagement device moving between a first position to a second position,the at least one engagement device configured to move the growingtrough.

Example 78

A growing trough as described in examples 62-77, wherein the contactoccurs when the at least one engagement device moves from a firstposition to a second position, wherein the growing trough maintains aposition during the contact.

Example 79

A growing trough as described in examples 62-78, wherein the contactoccurs when the at least one engagement device moves from the secondposition toward the first position, wherein the growing trough moves ina direction of the first position.

Example 80

A growing trough, comprising: a base configured to provide support; atop portion connected to the base and including one or more openingseach configured to receive at least one soil pod, the top portion andthe base forming a hollow interior portion supporting a flow of watersolution and including at least a portion of the at least one soil pod;a first end portion of the base providing access to the hollow interiorportion; and a second end portion of the base opposite the first endportion and providing access to the hollow interior portion.

Example 81

A growing trough, comprising: a base configured to provide support; acover portion connected to the base and including at least one openingconfigured to receive and hold at least one plant, the cover portion andthe base forming an interior portion permitting flow of a liquidsolution and including at least a portion of the at least one plantwithin the interior portion; a first end portion of the base providingaccess to the interior portion; and a second end portion of the baseopposite the first end portion and providing access to the interiorportion.

Example 82

An engagement device, comprising: a base configured to rotate about anaxis, a first portion of the base including a pivot member configured toengage with a securing component to rotate the base about the axis; asecond portion of the base weighted greater than the first portion ofthe base; and a capture member extending from the base, the capturemember configured to engage with at least one trough during at least oneof two movement events.

Example 83

An engagement device as described in example 82, wherein the at leasttwo movement events includes moving the device in a first directioncausing the capture member to slide along or underneath a base of the atleast one trough, the sliding of the capture member causing the pivotmember to rotate as the capture member slidably contacts the baseportion of the at least one trough.

Example 84

An engagement device as described in examples 82 or 83, wherein rotatingthe pivot member causes the first portion of the base and the capturemember to rotate in a downward direction about the axis and causes thesecond portion to rotate in an upward direction about the axis.

Example 85

An engagement device as described in examples 82-84, wherein rotating inthe downward direction does not exceed a downward rotation thresholdrepresenting a maximum rotation angle of the engagement device withrespect to the axis.

Example 86

An engagement device as described in examples 82-85, wherein the capturemember slides along the base portion of the at least one trough whilethe at least one trough maintains a resting position.

Example 87

An engagement device as described in examples 82-86, wherein the atleast two movement events includes moving the device in a seconddirection causing the capture member to engage a base portion of the atleast one trough and apply an engagement force on a base portion of theat least one trough to move the at least one trough from a firstposition to a second position.

Example 88

An engagement device as described in examples 82-87, wherein theengagement force prevents the pivot member from rotating about the axis.

Example 89

An engagement device as described in examples 82-88, wherein the secondportion of the base is configured to maintain a resting position whilemoving the engagement device in the second direction.

Example 90

An engagement device as described in examples 82-89, wherein the secondportion of the base is configured in an elevated position with respectto an elongated member while moving the engagement device in the seconddirection.

Example 91

An engagement device as described in examples 82-90, wherein the restingposition corresponds to a bottom surface of the second portion of thebase contacting a surface of the elongated member.

Example 92

An engagement device as described in examples 82-91, wherein the pivotmember removably attaches the device to an elongated member via thesecuring component, and wherein the elongated member is configured tomove the engagement device in at least one of a first direction or asecond direction opposite the first direction.

Example 93

An engagement device as described in examples 82-92, wherein moving inthe first direction includes moving the device from a first positiontowards the at least one trough located at a second position such thatthe capture member slides along a base portion of the at least onetrough, and wherein moving in the second direction includes moving thedevice towards the first position such that the capture member engagesthe base portion of the at least one trough to move the at least onetrough towards the second position.

Example 94

An engagement device as described in examples 82-93, wherein theengagement device is configured to sequentially move in the firstdirection and then the second direction.

Example 95

An apparatus, comprising: an elongated member; at least one engagementdevice moveably attached to the elongated member, each engagement deviceincluding: a base configured to rotate about an axis; a first portion ofthe base including a pivot member configured to engage with a securingcomponent to rotate the based about the axis; a second portion of thebase weighted greater than the first portion of the base; and a capturemember extending from the base, the capture member configured to engagewith at least one trough during at least one of two movement events.

Example 96

An apparatus as described in example 95, wherein the at least twomovement events includes moving the device in a first direction causingthe capture member to slide along or underneath a base portion of the atleast one trough, the sliding of the capture member causing the pivotmember to rotate as the capture member slidably contacts the baseportion of the at least one trough.

Example 97

An apparatus as described in examples 95 or 96, wherein the at least twomovement events includes moving the device in a second direction causingthe capture member to engage a base portion of the at least one troughand apply an engagement force on a base portion of the at least onetrough to move the at least one trough from a first position to a secondposition.

Example 98

An apparatus as described in examples 95-97, wherein the pivot memberremovably attaches the device to an elongated member via the securingcomponent, and wherein the elongated member is configured to move thedevice in at least one of a first direction or a second directionopposite the first direction.

Example 99

An apparatus as described in examples 95-98, wherein moving in the firstdirection includes moving the device from a first position towards theat least one trough located at a second position such that the capturemember slides along a base portion of the at least one trough, andwherein moving in the second direction includes moving the devicetowards the first position such that the capture member engages the baseportion of the at least one trough to move the at least one troughtowards the second position.

Example 100

An apparatus as described in examples 95-99, wherein the engagementdevice is configured to sequentially move in the first direction andthen the second direction.

Example 101

An apparatus as described in examples 95-100, wherein the second portionof the base is configured to maintain a resting position while movingthe engagement device in the second direction.

Example 102

An apparatus as described in examples 95-101, wherein the second portionof the base is configured in an elevated position with respect to anelongated member while moving the engagement device in the seconddirection.

Example 103

An engagement device, comprising: a base configured to rotate about anaxis, a pivot member configured to engage with a securing component torotate the base about the axis; a first portion of the base having amass greater than a second portion distinct from the first portion; anda capture member extending from the base, the capture member configuredto engage with at least one trough during at least one of two movementevents.

1. An engagement device, comprising: a base configured to rotate aboutan axis; a first portion of the base including: a pivot member locatedat a bottom front edge proximate to a bottom surface of the base andhaving a hollow interior that receives a securing component therein topermit rotation of the device about the axis, wherein the axis ofrotation is located proximate to the bottom front edge of the base atthe hollow interior of the pivot member; and a restrictor located at thebottom front edge of the base and adjacent to the pivot member, therestrictor limiting the rotation of the device to a defined angle aboutthe axis during at least one of two movement events involving at leastone growing trough; a second portion of the base adjacent to the firstportion, wherein the second portion is weighted greater than the firstportion of the base; and a capture member extending above and outwardfrom the first portion of the base, the capture member located distantfrom the restrictor and configured to engage with the at least onegrowing trough during the at least one of two movement events.
 2. Theengagement device of claim 1, wherein the at least two movement eventsincludes moving the device in a first direction causing the capturemember to slide along a base of the at least one growing trough, thesliding of the capture member causing the pivot member to rotate as thecapture member slidably contacts the base portion of the at least onegrowing trough.
 3. The engagement device of claim 2, wherein rotatingthe pivot member causes the first portion of the base and the capturemember to rotate in a downward direction about the axis and causes thesecond portion to rotate in an upward direction about the axis.
 4. Theengagement device of claim 3, wherein rotating in the downward directiondoes not exceed a downward rotation threshold representing a maximumrotation angle of the engagement device with respect to the axis,wherein the maximum rotation angle may correspond to the defined angleat which the restrictor prevents further rotation of the engagementdevice about the axis.
 5. The engagement device of claim 2, wherein thecapture member is configured to slide along the base portion of the atleast one growing trough while the at least one growing trough maintainsa resting position.
 6. The engagement device of claim 1, wherein the atleast two movement events includes moving the device in a seconddirection causing the capture member to engage underneath a base portionof the at least one growing trough and apply an engagement force to abase portion of the at least one growing trough to move the at least onegrowing trough from a first position to a second position.
 7. Theengagement device of claim 6, wherein the engagement force prevents thepivot member from rotating about the axis.
 8. The engagement device ofclaim 6, wherein the second portion of the base is configured in anelevated position with respect to an elongated member while moving theengagement device in the second direction.
 9. The engagement device ofclaim 8, wherein the resting position corresponds to the bottom surfaceof the base contacting a surface of the elongated member.
 10. Theengagement device of claim 1, wherein the pivot member removablyattaches the device to an elongated member via the securing component,and wherein the elongated member is configured to move the engagementdevice in at least one of a first direction or a second directionopposite the first direction.
 11. The engagement device of claim 10,wherein moving in the first direction includes moving the device from afirst position towards the at least one growing trough located at asecond position such that the capture member slides along a base portionof the at least one growing trough, and wherein moving in the seconddirection includes moving the device towards the first position suchthat the capture member engages the base portion of the at least onegrowing trough to move the at least one growing trough towards thesecond position.
 12. The engagement device of claim 11, wherein theengagement device is configured to sequentially move in the firstdirection and then the second direction.
 13. An apparatus, comprising:an elongated member; at least one engagement device removably attachedto the elongated member and including: a base configured to rotate aboutan axis; a first portion of the base including: a pivot member locatedat a bottom front edge proximate to a bottom surface of the base andhaving a hollow interior that receives a securing component therein topermit rotation of the device about the axis, wherein the axis ofrotation is located proximate to the bottom front edge of the base; anda restrictor located at the bottom front edge of the base and adjacentto the pivot member, the restrictor limiting the rotation of the deviceto a defined angle about the axis during at least one of two movementevents involving at least one growing trough; a second portion of thebase adjacent to the first portion, wherein the second portion isweighted greater than the first portion of the base; and a capturemember extending above and outward from the first portion of the base,the capture member located distant from the restrictor and configured toengage with the at least one growing trough during the at least one oftwo movement events.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at leasttwo movement events includes moving the device in a first directioncausing the capture member to slide along a base portion of the at leastone growing trough, the sliding of the capture member causing the pivotmember to rotate as the capture member slidably contacts the baseportion of the at least one growing trough.
 15. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the at least two movement events includes moving the devicein a second direction causing the capture member to engage a baseportion of the at least one growing trough and apply an engagement forceon a base portion of the at least one growing trough to move the atleast one growing trough from a first position to a second position. 16.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the pivot member removably attachesthe device to the elongated member via the securing component, andwherein the elongated member is configured to move the device in atleast one of a first direction or a second direction opposite the firstdirection.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein moving in the firstdirection includes moving the device from a first position towards theat least one growing trough located at a second position such that thecapture member slides along a base portion of the at least one growingtrough, and wherein moving in the second direction includes moving thedevice towards the first position such that the capture member engagesthe base portion of the at least one growing trough to move the at leastone growing trough towards the second position.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the engagement device is configured to sequentiallymove in the first direction and then the second direction.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 16, wherein the second portion of the base isconfigured to maintain a resting position while moving the engagementdevice in the second direction.
 20. An engagement device, comprising: abase configured to rotate about an axis; a pivot member located at abottom front edge proximate to a bottom surface of the base and having ahollow interior that receives a securing component therein to permitrotation of the device about the axis, wherein the axis of rotation islocated proximate to the bottom front edge of the base at the hollowinterior of the pivot member; a restrictor located at the bottom frontedge of the base and adjacent to the pivot member, the restrictorlimiting the rotation of the device to a defined angle about the axisduring at least one of two movement events involving at least onegrowing trough; a first portion of the base having a mass greater than asecond portion distinct from the first portion; and a capture memberextending above and outward from the first portion of the base, thecapture member located distant from the restrictor and configured toengage with the at least one growing trough during the at least one oftwo movement events.